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Address  on  the  life  &  character  of 
MaJ.  Gen.  Stephen  D.  Ramseur 
Cox 


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ADDRESS 


LIFE    AND    CHARACTER 


MAJ.  GEN.  STEPHEN  D.  RAMSEUR, 


BEFORE   TJIF. 


LADIES'  MEMORIAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  RALEIGH,  N.  C. 


MAY   10th;   1891. 

- 

• 

BY 

. 

HON 

.    WILLIAM    R. 

COX. 

-* 

RALEIGH  : 

E. 

M. 

TZZEEI. 

STEAM    PRINTER 

AND 

BINDER. 

1 89I. 

~  .Jjlcus    /o-  /r?/  - 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2011  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://www.archive.org/details/addressonlifechaOOcoxw 


MAJOR  GENERAL  STEPHEN  D.  RAMSEUR. 


OY   PERMISSION   OF   THE  CENTURY   CO. 


ADDRESS 


LIFE   AND    CHARACTER 


MAJ.  GEN.  STEPHEN  D.  RAMSEUR, 


liEFoKE    THE 


LADIES'  MEMORIAL- ASSOCIATION  OF  RALEIGH,  N.  C. 


MAY   10th,   1891. 


BY 

HON.    WILLIAM    R.    COX. 


RALEIGH  : 

E.    M.    UZZEIX,    STEAM   PRINTER   AND   BINDER. 
1891. 


ADDRESS. 


Mr.  President,  Ladles  and  Gentlemen  : 

When  Xerxes  looked  upon  the  countless  hosts  of  Persia  he 
is  said  to  have  wept  when  he  reflected  that  within  one  hun- 
dred years  from  that  time  not  one  of  those  then  in  his  presence 
would  be  living.  It  is  with  similar  emotions  every  survivor  of 
the  war  between  the  States  must  be  moved  when  called  upon  to 
pass  in  review  and  comment  upon  the  heroic  deeds  and  still 
more  heroic  sufferings  of  those  who  participated  in  that  fierce 
and  unrelenting  conflict. 

It  is  now  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  since  the  last  hostile 
gun  of  the  war  was  fired ;  the  laws  are  everywhere  respected 
and  obeyed ;  and  every  citizen,  irrespective  of  section  or  service, 
recognizes  it  as  his  first  duty  to  march  to  the  defense  of  his  gov- 
ernment whenever  menaced  by  foes  either  from  within  or  with- 
out. 

To  such  as  may  question  the  policy  or  propriety  of  these 
memorial  reunions,  and  inquire  why  these  gatherings  of  the  peo- 
ple, which  may  keep  alive  the  estrangements  of  the  past,  we 
commeud  the  remarks  of  that  eloquent  New  Yorker,  Chauncey 
M.  Depew,  who,  upon  a  similar  occasion  forcibly  and  truthfully 
declared  that  "vapid  sentimentalists  and  timid  souls  deprecate 
these  annual  reunions,  fearing  they  may  arouse  old  strife  and 
sectional  animosities;  but  a  war  in  which  five  hundred  thousand 
men  were  killed  and  two  millions  more  wounded,  in  which 
States  were  devastated,  and  money  spent  equal  to  twice  England's 
gigantic  debt,  has  a  meaning,  a  lesson,  and  results  which  are  to 
the  people  of  this  Republic  a  liberal  education,  and  the  highest 
chairs  of  this  university  belong  to  you." 

The  ladies  of  this  association  have  a  just  appreciation  of  the 
necessity  for  preserving  the  truths  of  history  for  the  future  his- 
torian, who,  with  a  juster  prospective  which  distance  may  give, 


shall  write  a  history  of  our  common  country.  They  have  wisely 
decided  that  at  each  annual  reunion  an  active  participant  of  the 
war  shall  be  called  upon  to  portray  the  life  and  character  of 
some  distinguished  comrade  who  in  the  late  war  yielded  up  his 
life  in  obedience  to  the  laws  of  his  State  and  for  a  cause  his 
conscience  told  him  was  right.  The  necessity  for  preserving  the 
data  thus  collected  becomes  more  important  from  the  fact  that 
in  every  war,  whatever  may  be  its  original  merits,  writers  will 
always  be  found  to  misrepresent  and  belittle  the  vanquished, 
while  with  fulsome  adulation  they  sing  pseans  to  and  crown 
with  laurels  the  brow  of  the  victor.  Even  distinguished  par- 
ticipants in  such  strifes  are  not  slow  to  yield  to  importunity 
the  autobiographic  memoirs  of  colossal  achievements  scarcely 
recognizable  by  their  friends,  the  effects  of  which  are  mislead- 
ing. In  the  late  war,  and  by  the  chroniclers  of  that  war,  we 
were  denounced  as  rebels  and  traitors,  as  if  the  promoters 
of  such  epithets  were  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  in  our  Revo- 
lutionary war  Hancock,  Adams  and  their  compeers  were 
denounced  as  rebels  and  traitors,  while  Washington  and  Frank- 
liu  broke  their  oaths  of  allegiance  to  join  this  despised  class. 
Indeed,  the  very  chimney-sweeps  in  the  streets  of  London  are 
said  to  have  spoken  of  our  rebellious  ancestors  as  their  subjects 
in  America.  Therefore,  with  a  conscience  void  of  offeuse,  while 
we  would  not  and  should  not  forget  our  hallowed  memories  of 
comradeship  and  of  common  suffering,  we  cherish  them  alone  as 
memories,  and  seek  no  willows  upon  which  to  hang  our  harps, 
no  rivers  by  which  to  sit  down  and  weep  while  we  sing  the  songs 
of  the  long  ago. 

Wars  have  existed  from  the  beginning  of  time;  and,  despite 
the  spread  of  Christianity  and  the  growth  of  enlightenment,  will 
probably  continue  until  time  shall  be  no  more.  In  the  war 
between  the  States  there  was  but  little  of  malice,  of  vengeful- 
ness  and  vindictiveness.  As  to  its  origin  there  is  little  proba- 
bility of  our  agreeing  so  long  as  it  is  insisted  that  the  North 
fought  chiefly  for  the  eradication  of  slavery  and  the  South  for 
its  perpetuation.    At  the  formation  of  this  government 


SLAVERY 

existed  in  every  State.  New  Eugland,  which  ultimately  became 
the  principal  theatre  of  free-soilism  and  abolition  agitation,  was  at 
one  time  more  interested  in  the  slave  trade  than  any  other  section 
of  our  country.  It  is  not  mere  speculation  to  declare  that  had  her 
soil  and  climate  been  adapted  to  the  cultivation  and  production 
of  the  chief  staples  of  the  South  she  would  have  recognized  it 
as  a  great  outrage  to  have  been  compelled  to  relinquish  so  profit- 
able an  institution  without  her  free  consent.  By  prospective 
enactments  our  Northern  friends  gradually  abolished  slavery, 
and  their  slaves  were  sent  South  and  sold.  The  money  arising 
from  such  sales  was  carried  North,  invested  in  manufactories, 
ships  and  brick  walls.  Their  section  prospered  and  we  rejoice 
in  their  prosperity  as  a  part  of  our  common  country.  In  an 
address  delivered  by  Mr.  Evarts  before  the  New  England  Soci- 
ety he  said  that  the  Puritan  believed  in  every  man  attending  to 
his  own  business,  but  he  believed  every  man's  business  was  his 
own.  There  is  a  great  deal  of  truth  portrayed  in  this  sport- 
ive suggestion.  Having  profitably  escaped  from  this  "great 
iniquity,"  their  restless  intellectuality  early  prompted  them  to 
express  their  abhorrence  of  slavery.  The  great  body  of  Ameri- 
can people  really  cared  very  little  about  this  institution,  or,  at 
least,  if  they  deprecated  it  they  recognized  it  as  a  matter  of 
local  legislation,  for  which  they  were  not  directly  responsible ; 
therefore,  the  question  of  its  abolition  for  over  half  a  century 
made  but  little  headway,  and  only  became  a  potential  element 
of  discord  when  it  was  discovered  that  its  agitation  would  have 
the  effect  of  securing  the  ascendency  of  one  of  the  great  politi- 
cal parties  of  the  country.  As  slavery  only  obtained  in  the 
minor  section  its  agitation,  on  sectional  grounds,  ultimately  had 
the  effect  of  promoting  a  crisis  which  enabled  the  ambitious  and 
aspiring  politicians  to  inflame  the  passions  of  their  followers 
until  they  were  prepared  to  see  their  country  plunged  into  a  war, 
which  the  border  States,  led  by  Virginia,  did  all  that  lay  in  their 
power  to  avert.     Recognizing  the  weakness  of  this  institution, 


6 


as  well  as  the  fact  that  they  were  numerically  greatly  in  the 
minority,  the  slave-holding  States  simply  asked  to  be  "let  alone." 
But  as  it  was  threatened  that  they  should  be  surrounded  by  a 
cordon  of  free  States  until  slavery  had  "stung  itself  to  death,"  and 
that  this  government  could  not  exist  "half  free  and  half  slave," 
the  purposes  of  the  dominant  section  became  so  manifest  the 
Southern  States  felt  that,  in  justice  to  themselves,  they  could  no 
longer  remain  quiet.  The  causes  for  this  agitation  had  their 
existence  in  the  colonial  era,  when  slavery  was  universal ;  and 
the  settlement  was  postponed  on  account  of  the  difficulty  of 
arriving  at  a  satisfactory  solution.     Two  irreconcilable  theories  of 

POPULAR  GOVERNMENT 

were  at  the  outset  proposed.  The  one  advocated  by  Mr. 
Hamilton  contemplated  a  strong  centralized  authority,  fash- 
ioned after  that  of  a  limited  monarchy;  the  other,  which  was 
proposed  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  recognized  the  people  as  the  source 
of  all  power,  and  insisted  that  they  should  be  left  as  free 
and  uutrammeled  from  governmental  control  as  its  exigen- 
cies might  demand.  The  one  contemplated  a  magnificent  cen- 
tral government,  with  that  ostentation  and  parade  that  keeps 
the  masses  in  awe;  the  other  a  simple,  economic,  democratic 
government,  regulated  and  governed  by  the  people.  The  fol- 
lowers of  these  statesmen  were  known  by  the  party  names  of 
Federalists  and  Republicans.  The  elder  Adams  was  the  first 
President  of  the  Federalists,  and  during  his  administration 
and  with  his  approval  the  Alien  and  Sedition  laws  were 
passed,  the  effect  of  which  was  to  abridge,  if  not  imperil,  the 
freedom  of  the  press  in  its  criticism  upon  public;  officials.  This 
measure,  with  others  of  an  unpopular  nature,  so  outraged  public 
sentiment  as  to  elect  Mr.  Jefferson,  the  apostle  of  Democracy,  to 
succeed  Mr.  Adams  by  an  overwhelming  majority,  and  the  views 
he  entertained  and  ably  advocated  laid  the  foundation  for  that 
great  popular  approval  which  maintained  his  party  in  power, 
with  but  brief  intervals  of  interruption,  from  that  time  up  to 
the  beginning  of  the  war.     The  student  of  history  will  discover 


that  the  institution  of  slavery  played  a  minor  part  in  the  politi- 
cal agitations  of  this  country  so  long  as  our  politics  related 
alone  to  questions  of  national  policy.  The  first  serious  difficulty 
of  more  than  local  significance  which  threatened  our  institu- 
tions arose  from  the  imposition  of  an  excise  tax  on  distilled 
spirits,  known  as  the  "Whisky  Rebellion."  The  second,  from 
the  hostility  of  the  New  England  States  to  the  war  of  1812, 
which  seriously  interfered  with  their  commercial  traffic.  So 
great  was  this  discontent  that  a  convention  was  called  to  meet 
at  Hartford,  Conn.,  which  had  in  view  the  secession  of  the 
States  represented  from  the  Union.  In  1820  was  passed  what 
is  known  as  the  Missouri  Compromise,  which  in  effect  was  simply 
a  truce  between  two  antagonistic  revenue  systems,  while  the  nulli- 
fication movement  was  directed  against  the  tariff  system.  So  that 
up  to  this  time  the  chief  complaint  against  any  legislation  of 
our  country  arose  from  dissatisfaction  to  its  economic  system. 

Prior  to  the  war  the  North  had  devoted  herself  chiefly  to  trade 
and  manufacturing,  to  mechanic  arts  and  industrial  pursuits, 
while  the  South,  owing  to  its  easier  lines  of  life,  the  fertility  of 
its  soil,  with  its  genial  climate  and  "peculiar  institution,"  had 
turned  her  attention  to  the  science  of  politics  and  a  consideration 
of  governmental  affairs,  the  consequence  of  which  was  that  the 
controlling  voice  and  influence  in  the  councils  of  the  nation 
rested  with  her.  As  the  North,  by  its  industry  and  enterprise, 
grew  in  wealth  and  the  development  of  a  more  liberal  educa- 
tion, she  became  impatient  and  restless  under  this  control,  and 
resolved  at  all  hazards  to  escape  from  it.  Free-soilism  and  abo- 
litionism, which  up  to  this  time  had  been  the  obedient  hand-maid 
to  any  party  that  would  lend  its  co-operation,  were  believed  to 
be  the  potential  elements  by  which  to  arouse  the  apprehensions 
of  the  South  as  to  the  security  of  slavery  and  thus  tend  to  the 
arrangement  of  parties  on  sectional  lines.  From  this  time  for- 
ward the  leading  statesmen  of  the  South  were  denounced  and 
vilified  as  aristocrats  and  slave-drivers;  and  on  the 'recurrence 
of  every  national  contest  this  new  party  resorted  to  every  device 
to  create  animosities  between  the  sections.     At  this  time  the 


Democratic  party  was  so  strong  it  became  factional,  and  was 
finally  disrupted  through  the  political  jealousy  of  its  leaders. 
In  consequence  of  their  division  in  the  ensuing  election  four 
presidential  candidates  were  offered  for  the  suffrage  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  Mr.  Lincoln  was  elected.  As  it  was  the  first  Jime  in 
the  history  of  our  country  that  a  President  had  been  elected  by 
a  purely  sectional  vote,  and  a  large  portion  of  his  followers  were 
.believed  to  be  intent  on  either  the  abolition  of  slavery  or  a  dis- 
ruption of  the  Union,  the  gravest  apprehensions  were  felt.  The 
situation  at  that  time  is  so  lucidly  and  graphically  described  in 
the  memoir  of  Richard  H.  Dana,  recently  prepared  by  Mr. 
Adams,  Minister  to  England  under  Mr.  Lincoln's  administra- 
tion, I  cannot  better  present  the  matter  than  by  using  his  lan- 
guage': "  Looking  back  on  it  now,  after  the  lapse  of  nearly  thirty 
years,  it  is  curious  to  see  how  earnestly  all  played  their  parts  and 
how  essential  to  the  great  catastrophe  all  those  parts  were.  The 
extremists  on  both  sides  were  urging  the  country  to  immediate 
blows,  regardless  of  consequences,  and  by  so  doing  they  were 
educating  it  to  the  necessary  point  when  the  hour  should  come. 
Had  the  Southern  extremists  prevailed,  and  the  Southern  blood 
been  fired  by  an  assault  on  Fort  Sumter  in  January,  the  slave 
States  would  probably  have  been  swept  into  a  general  insurrec- 
tion while  Buchanan  was  still  President,  with  Floyd  as  his  Sec- 
retary of  War.  Had  this  occurred  it  is  difficult  now  to  see  how 
the  government  could  have  been  preserved.  The  Southern 
extremists,  therefore,  when  they  urged  immediate  action  were, 
from  the  Southern  point  of  view,  clearly  right.  Every  day  then 
lost  was  a  mistake,  and,  as  the  result  proved,  an  irreparable  mis- 
take. On  the  other  hand,  had  the  extremists  of  the  North 
prevailed  in  their  demand  for  immediate  action  they  would 
in  the  most  effective  way  possible  have  played  the  game  of 
their  opponents.  Fortunately  they  did  not  prevail,  but  their 
exhortations  to  action  and  denunciations  of  every  attempt  at 
a  compromise  educated  the  country  to  a  fighting  point." 

That  large  and   respectable  body  of  patriotic    citizens    who 
were   wedded  to  the  Union    and    dreaded    war,  and  above  all 


things  a  civil  war,  were  in  favor  of  any  compromise  which 
might  result  in  preserving  harmony  between  the  sections.  It 
is  difficult  at  this  time  to  appreciate  the  excitement  of  those 
stormy  days.  Moderation  and  silence  was  but  little  understood 
or  appreciated.  The  firing  upon  Sumter  fired  the  hearts  of 
both  sectious,  and  followed,  as  it  was,  by  a  call  of  Mr.  Lincoln 
for  troops  to  make  war  upon  the  States,  promptly  welded  the 
States  of  the  South  into  one  common  bond.  They  felt  that  if 
they  must  fight  they  preferred  to  fight  the  stranger  rather  than 
their  neighbors  who  were  contending  for  the  maintenance  of 
their  own  rights,  and  that  to  yield  to  the  party  in  power  at  such 
a  juncture  was  but  to  invite  further  aggressions  on  their  rights, 
and  that  this  would  involve  their  subjugation  with  the  over- 
throw of  their  most  cherished  institutions.  That  no  perma- 
nent compromise  was  practicable,  aud  that  war  at  some  time 
was  inevitable  must  now  be  clear  to  all ;  that  the  war  has 
taken  place;  that  the  abolition  of  slavery  has  occurred  ;  that  the 
South  has  been  thrown  open  to  settlement,  to  free  and  unem- 
barrassed communication  to  the  outside  world  ;  that  the  greatness 
of  our  section  aud  the  capabilities  of  our  people  to  maintain  our 
free  institutions  has  been  manifested,  and  that  the  war  has  proved 
a  great  educator  to  all,  is  now  conceded.  In  turning  over  the 
government  to  our  Northern  friends  the  much  misrepresented 
people  of  the  South  can  point  with  pride  to  the  fact  that  the 
declaration  that  "these  united  colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought 
to  be,  free,"  was  penned  by  a  Southern  statesman  ;  that  this  decla- 
ration was  made  good  under  the  leadership  of  a  Southern  gen- 
eral ;  that  "the  father  of  the  Constitutiou"  was  a  Southern 
man;  that  through  a  Presideut,  a  Southern  man,  our  bounda- 
ries were  extended  from  ocean  to  ocean  and  from  the  Gulf  to 
the  lakes;  and  that  prior  to  the  late  war  all  assaults  against 
the  integrity  of  the  Union  were  compromised  and  accommo- 
dated mainly  through  Southern  statesmanship.  When,  after  fifty 
years  of  its  existence,  the  government  was  turned  over  to  the 
statesmen  of  the  North,  in  the  language  of  one  of  her  gifted  and 
eloquent  sons,  the  South  surrendered  it  to  her  successors  "mateh- 
2 


10 


less  in  her  power,  incalculable  in  her  strength,  the  power  and 
the  glory  of  the  world." 
It  is  of 

STEPHEN    D.    RAMSEUR 

that  we  now  propose  to  speak — his  life,  his  services  and  his 
lamented  death.  In  the  Piedmont  section  of  our  State  there  is 
one  county  named  in  honor  of  that  Revolutionary  hero,  Benja- 
min Lincoln,  who  at  the  time  was  in  command  of  the  Conti- 
nental soldiers  in  Charleston  harbor,  fighting  for  the  freedom 
and  independence  of  the  American  colonies.  This  county  was 
originally  a  part  of  Mecklenburg,  the  "  Hornets'  Nest"  of  the 
Revolution,  and  her  sons  partook  of  the  sturdy  patriotism  of  their 
neighbors.  In  her  territorial  limits  was  fought  the  battle  of  Ram- 
seur's  Mill  and  other  stirring  scenes  of  like  nature.  Lincoln, 
though  one  of  the  smallest  counties  in  the  State,  gave  to  history 
such  well-known  Revolutionary  names  as  Brevard,  Dickson, 
Chronicle  and  others,  which,  though  less  generally  known,  were  no 
less  patriotic  and  determined  in  upholding  their  principles.  The 
county-seat  of  Lincoln,  with  that  want  of  imagination  and  origi- 
nality for  which  Americans  are  celebrated,  is  called  Lincolnton,  a 
small  village  long  distinguished  for  the  culture,  refinement  and 
unobtrusive  hospitality  of  its  people.  While  her  citizens  were  not 
wealthy  they  enjoyed  such  affluence  as  enabled  them  to  be  inde- 
pendent and  self-reliant.  About  the  year  1837  there  was  born  in 
Lincoln  county  three  children,  each  of  whom  became  distinguished 
in  war  before  attaining  his  twenty-seventh  year,  and  also  from 
among  her  accomplished  daughters  came  the  wives  of  Stonewall 
Jackson,  Lieutenant  General  D.  H.  Hill  and  Brigadier  General 
Rufus  Barringer.  Ramseur,  Hoke  and  R.  D.  Johnson  were  born 
within  a  year  of  each  other,  and  for  distinguished  services  in  the 
field  were  promoted  and  entitled  to  wear  the  coveted  general's 
wreath  on  their  collars.  This  same  county  gave  to  Alabama 
Brigadier  General  John  H.  Forney,  a  gallant  soldier,  who  is 
now,  and  for  years  has  been,  one  of  her  most  faithful  and  trusted 
members  in  the  national   Congress.     Born   and    reared   amidst 


11 


such  favorable  and  stimulating  surroundings,  it  is  not  a  matter 
of  surprise  that  these  young  men  should  have  been  prompted  by 
au  honorable  emulation  to  secure  those  prizes  that  were  justly 
their  own,  for  "blood  will  tell."  Entirely  free  from  the 
"  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war,"  ever  kind  and  acces- 
sible to  those  about,  him,  skillful  and  able  in  the  field,  Major 
General  Hoke  readily  became  the  idol  of  his  soldiers.  While 
not  attaining  to  so  high  a  rank,  Brigadier  General  Johnson  was 
an  able  and  fearless  soldier.  The  life  of  Ramseur,  while  briefer, 
was  not  less  brilliant  and  attractive  than  that  of  any  of  his  cotem- 
poraries.  It  has  been  eloquently  said  by  another:  "A  book  of 
dates,  a  table  of  dynasties,  a  succession  of  kings,  or  popes,  or 
presidents — these  in  one  aspect  are  history;  but  if  they  are  to 
attract,  or  impress,  or  enduringly  influence  us,  behind  these  dry 
bones  of  the  historian's  cabinet  there  must  glow  and  palpitate 
the  living  lineaments  of  a  man." 

But  should  we  choose  an  element  of  pre-eminent  power  to 
interest  mankind,  that  element  must  consist  of  the  life  and  deeds 
of  some  prominent  actor  upon  the  great  theatre  of  war.  While 
many  admire,  enjoy  and  are  improved  by  the  triumphs  of  the  im- 
agination and  the  reason  the  impulse  and  the  heart  of  the  multi- 
tude in  every  age  and  clime  have  been  taken  captive  by  the  great 
actors  rather  than  by  the  great  thinkers  among  men.  This  has 
been  true  from  the  time  of  Joshua  until  that  of  Mahomet,  and 
from  thence  to  the  present  time,  and  we  must  conclude  that  the 
multitude  is  right.  Even  the  eloquence  of  Demosthenes,  the  ora- 
tory of  Cicero,  the  glowing  periods  of  Louginus,  the  beauties  of 
Gibbon,  the  orphic  rhythm  of  Milton,  the  profound  reasoning  of 
Bacon  and  the  marvelous  creations  of  Shakespeare,  all  have  their 
enthusiastic  admirers,  but  the  heart  of  the  multitude  goes  out  in 
profound  admiration  for  the  courage,  the  genius  and  marvelous 
achievements  of  the  great  conquerors  of  the  world.  It  attends 
them  not  only  in  their  triumps,  but  accompanies  them  with  its 
sympathy  in  disappointments  and  misfortunes.  So  many  elements 
are  combined  to  constitute  the  truly  great  commander  I  will  not 
endeavor  to  enumerate  them,  but  will  content  myself  by  saying 


12 


that  the  popular  sentiment  that  the  ideal  general  displays  his 
greatest  power  upon  the  battle  field  is  an  error,  of  which  the  late 
Von  Moltke  is  a  notable  example.  His  greatest  achievements 
consist  in  so  preparing  and  mobilizing  his  forces  as  to  virtually 
secure  his  success  before  encountering  his  adversary.  Our  Revo- 
lutionary period  supplies  us  with  an  example  of  one  of  those 
matchless  leaders,  who,  while  he  lost  the  majority  of  the  great 
battles  in  which  he  was  engaged,  yet,  even  amidst  the  hardships 
and  sufferings  of  a  "  Valley  Forge,"  by  his  forethought,  his 
patience  and  unselfish  patriotism  could  win  and  retain  the  confi- 
dence and  admiration  of  his  troops  until  he  led  them  to  the 
achievement  of  results  which  won  the  admiration  of  mankind. 
And  our  late  war  gave  us  the  example  of  one  who  in  all  respects 
was  a  fitting  complement  of  the  former.  Peerless  in  victory  and 
in  adversity,  he  was  matchless.  Among  the  many  able  general 
officers  which  the  exigencies  of  the  late  war  called  to  the  front, 
Ramseur  is  entitled  to  rank  high,  and  gave  the  most  flattering 
promises  of  still  greater  achievements. 

Stephen  D.  Ramseur,  the  second  child  of  Jacob  A.  and 
Lucy  M.  Ramseur,  had  Revolutionary  blood  in  his  veins 
through  John  Wilfong,  a  hero  who  wras  wounded  at  King's 
Mountain  and  fought  at  Eutaw  Springs.  He  was  born  in  Lin- 
colntou  the  31st  day  of  May,  1837.  His  surroundings  were 
well  calculated  to  promote  a  well  developed  character  and  a 
strong  self-relying  manhood.  His  parents  were  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  did  not  neglect  to  see  their  son 
properly  instructed  in  their  religious  tenets.  They  were  pos- 
sessed of  ample  means  for  their  section,  and  gave  to  him  the 
best  advantages  of  social  and  intellectual  improvement  without 
being  exposed  to  the  "devices  and  snares  of  the  outer  world." 
To  the  strong  and  beautiful  character  of  his  mother,,  Ramseur  is 
said  to  have  been  indebted  for  the  greater  part  of  his  success  in 
life.  In  preparing  the  life  of  Dr.  Thornwell,  Rev.  Dr.  Palmer 
has  asserted  a  truth  which  may  be  classed  as  a  proverb:  "The 
pages  of  history  will  be  searched  in  vain  for  a  great  man  who 
had  a  fool  for  his  mother."     In  writing  of  her  the  Hon.  David 


13 


Schenck,  who  married  Sallie  Wilfong,  her  second  daughter, 
says :  "As  a  young  lady  she  was  said  to  have  been  beautiful  and 
attractive.  I  knew  her  intimately  from  1849  to  her  death.  She 
was  a  woman  of  great  force  of  character.  To  a  judgment  clear 
and  firm  she  united  gentleness,  tenderness  and  sympathy.  Her 
manners  were  easy  and  courteous  and  fascinating.  She  was  an 
active  and  devoted  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
brought  up  her  children  in  the  teachings  of  the  shorter  catechism 
from  their  early  youth.  It  was  to  her  that  General  Rarnseur 
owed  the  mental  and  moral  foundations  of  his  character."  He 
received  his  preparatory  training  in  the  schools  of  Lincolnton 
and  in  the  village  of  Milton,  then  he  matriculated  at  David- 
son College,  entered  the  Freshman  class  and  passed  eighteen 
months  at  this  institution.  He  early  displayed  that  decision  of 
character  and  force  of  will  that  distinguished  him  in  after  life. 
He  had  an  ardent  longing  for  a  military  career,  and  though  dis- 
appointed in  his  efforts  to  secure  an  appointment  as  a  cadet  at 
the  United  States  Military  Academy,  he  was  not  cast  down. 
Through  the  aid  of  General  D.  H.  Hill,  then  a  professor  at 
Davidson,  his  second  application  was  successful.  He  was  given 
his  appointment  to  the  Academy  b)  that  sturdy  old  Roman,  the 
Hon.  Burton  Craige,  who  before  the  days  of  rotation  in  office 
was  long  an  able  and  distinguished  member  of  Congress  from 
our  State.  Rarnseur  spent  the  usual  term  of  five  years  at  the 
Academy  and  was  graduated  with  distinction  in  the  class  of  1860. 
Among  his  class-mates  of  national  reputation  were  Generals 
James  H.  Wilson  and  Merritt,  Colonel  Wilson,  Commandant  at 
United  States  Military  Academy,  and  Colonel  A.  C.  M.  Penning- 
ton, U.  S.  A. 

Through  his  courtesy,  sincerity  and  the  conscientious  discharge 
of  his  duties  while  at  West  Point  he  formed  many  valued 
friendships  both  among  his  fellow-students  and  in  the  corps. 
After  graduating,  Rarnseur  entered  the  light  artillery  service 
and  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  by  brevet.  He  was 
in  the  United  States  army  but  a  short  time  prior  to  the  break- 
ing  out    of  hostilities,   and  during    that  time  was  assigned   to 


14 


duty  at  Fortress  Monroe.  In  April,  1861,  he  resigned  his  com- 
mission in  the  old  army  and  promptly  tendered  his  sword  to  the 
Provisional  Government  of  the  Confederate  States,  then  assem- 
bled at  Montgomery.  By  this  government  he  was  commissioned 
First  Lieutenant  of  Artillery  and  ordered  to  the  department  of 
Mississippi.  About  this  time  a  battery  of  artillery  was  being 
formed  at  Raleigh,  whose  membership  was  comprised  of  the 
flower  of  the  patriotic  youth  of  the  State.  It  was  called  "the 
Ellis  Artillery,"  in  honor  of  our  then  Very  able  and  patri- 
otic Governor,  whose  early  death  by  phthisis  was  an  irreparable 
loss  to  our  State  in  the  early  days  of  the  war.  The  officers  were 
Manly,  Saunders,  Guion  and  Bridgers,  who,  owing  to  our  long 
peace  establishment,  were  not  familiar  with  even  the  rudiments 
of  the  drill.  Therefore,  with  more  patriotism  than  selfish  emu- 
lation, they  promptly  applied  through  Lieutenant  Saunders  to 
their  friend  the  Governor  for  some  suitable  and  reliable  com- 
mander. With  a  pardonable  pride  in  so  fiue  a  company,  Gov- 
ernor Ellis  had  doubtless  previously  considered  this  subject  in 
his  own  mind.  At  all  events,  so  soon  as  the  request  was  made 
known  he  promptly  replied:  "I  have  the  very  man.  You 
couldn't  get  a  better.  It  is  Lieutenant  Ramseur."  Thereupon 
a  dispatch  was  sent  tendering  him  the  command,  which  reached 
him  on  his  way  to  his  new  field  of  duty.  He  accepted  the  unso- 
licited but  none  the  less  coveted  distinction  of  repelling  the 
invasion  of  his  native  State  in  command  of  her  own  sous,  and 
repaired  at  once  to  Raleigh.  On  arriving  at  the  camp  of 
instruction  near  this  place  he  found  a  first-class  command  of 
raw  recruits  without  equipments  or  discipline  or  the  remotest 
conception  of  the  magnitude  of  the  great  contest  before  them. 
Many  had  joined  the  artillery  because  it  was  known  to  be  out:  of 
the  higher  and  more  attractive  branches  of  the  service.  They 
concurred  with  Secretary  Seward,  that  the  war  was  a  matter  of 
a  few  months,  or  else  with  Vice-President  Stephens,  that  for 
the  defense  of  their  firesides  gentlemen  should  not  be  kept  in 
camps  of  instruction  and  discipline,  but  permitted  to  remain  at 
their  homes,  for  they  were  capable  of  judging  when  the  enemy 


15 


should  be  met,  and  by  what  methods  most  easily  defeated.  If 
they  had  read  of  war  it  was,  iu  books  which  gave  it  such  gloss 
and  glamour  as  made  every  battle  magnificent,  if  not  positively 
delectable,  for  such,  indeed,  is  the  general  current  of  popular 
history.  Not  so  Ramseur,  who  had  been  taught  in  the  school 
where  the  art  of  war  is  thoroughly  explained,  the  discipline  and 
drudgery  of  soldier  life  daily  seen  and  the  distinctions  and 
advantages  of  rank  recognized  and  respected.  His  education 
and  experience  led  him  to  concur  with  Viscount  Woolsey,  who, 
in  speaking  of  war,  declares  that  active  service  teaches  us  some 
painful  lessons:  "That  all  men  are  not  heroes;  that  the  quality 
as  well  as  quantity  of  their  courage  differs  largely;  that  some 
meu  are  positively  cowards;  that  there  always  is,  always  has 
been,  and  always  will  be,  a  good  deal  of  skulking  and  malinger- 
ing; it  teaches  us  not  to  expect  too  much  from  any  body  of  men; 
above  all  things  to  value  the  truly  brave  men  as  worth  more 
than  all  the  talkers  and  spouters  who  have  ever  squabbled  for 
place  in  the  arena  of  politics."  Ramseur  was  well  satisfied  with 
the  esprit  de  corps  of  his  command,  and  resolved  to  employ  it  to 
the  best  advantage.  To  do  this  his  men  must  have  a  knowledge 
of  tactics,  discipline,  and  subordination  was  indispensable.  He 
had  considered  all  this,  determined  what  was  right,  and  whether 
it  consorted  with  the  wishes  and  inclinations  of  those  who 
belonged  to  the  command  or  not  was  not  material  with  him. 
Indeed,  duty  was  his  polar  star.  He  did  not  willingly  sever  his 
connection  from  the  old  army,  but  when  called  on  to  elect  whether 
he  would  fight  for  or  against  his  people  and  his  State  there  was 
no  hesitancy,  no  doubt  as  to  where  his  duty  lay,  and  he  threw 
his  whole  soul  and  energies  into  the  cause  of  the  South.  This 
company  was  composed  of  twelve  months  men.  Ramseur 
wanted  soldiers,  and  wanted  them  for  the  war.  This  being 
known,  some,  a  few  members  of  the  company,  began  to  become 
discontented.  They  feared  they  were  to  be  treated  as  regular 
soldiers,  and  insisted  that  inasmuch  as  they  had  volunteered  only 
for  twelve  months  that  should  the  company  be  reorganized  for 
the  war  they  were  entitled. to  withdraw.     They  were  good  men 


16 


and  did  not  desire  to  leave  the  service:  they  were  allowed  to  with- 
draw, and  in  other  fields  made  valient  soldiers.  The  reorgani- 
zation of  the  battery  was  soon  completed,  all  elements  of  discord 
eliminated,  and,  under  the  skillful  management  and  discipline  of 
its  new  Captain,  made  admirable  progress.  The  great  thing  now 
was  to  secure  its  guns  and  equipments,  and  in  this  the  company 
was  aided  by  its  name  and  the  patriotic  ardor  of  the  citizens  of 
Raleigh.  At  this  time  there  was  only  one  field  battery  availa- 
ble, and  for  it  another  company  was  applying.  The  name  and 
personnel  of  the  Ellis  Artillery  won  the  prize,  while  the  volun- 
tary subscriptions  of  our  citizens  supplied  it  with  horses.  Being 
without  tents  or  suitable  parade  grounds,  Mr.  William  Boy- 
Ian  tendered  it  his  residence  and  out-buildings  for  shelter  and 
ample  grounds  as  a  camp  for  instruction.  The  offer  was  accepted, 
and  here  the  company  received  that  impress  which,  when  called 
to  Virginia  and  brought  in  comparison  with  others,  carried  off 
the  palm  for  their  soldierly  bearing,  their  splendid  drill  and 
handsome  equipment.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  of  1861 
the  company  was  ordered  to  Smithfield,  Va.,  where  the  fall  and 
winter  months  were  spent  without  graver  duties  than  occasional 
reconnoissances  to  and  from  Norfolk.  McClellan's  army  was 
now  near  Washington,  confronted  by  that  of  General  Joe  Johns- 
ton, while  the  public  mind  of  the  North  was  becoming  very 
impatient  at  its  inaction,  and  began  to  renew  the  cry  of  "On  to 
Richmond!"  which  had  been  so  popular  before  the  inglorious 
defeat  of  the  Federal  army  at  Manassas.  McClellan,  unable  to 
resist  this  clamor,  determined  to  endeavor  to  reach  the  Con- 
federate capital  by  way  of  the  lower  Chesapeake,  and  on  trans- 
ports transferred  his  army  to  the  Peninsular  and  sat  down  before 
Yorktown.  It  is  estimated  that  McClellan  at  this  time  had  an 
army  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  men  fit 
for  duty.  This  force  was  to  be  confronted  and  delayed  until 
Johnston  could  arrive  by  thirteen  thousand  Confederates  under 
J.  B.  Magruder,  who,  in  order  to  accomplish  this  purpose,  was 
compelled  to  cover  a  front  of  thirteen  miles  with  his  small  force. 
The  work  was  done,  and  with  consummate  ability,  and  it  is  no 


17 


disparagement  to  others  to  say  there  was  no  officer  in  either 
army  better  qualified  to  play  such  a  game  of  bluff  than  the 
genial,  whole-souled  Mag-ruder.  Ramseur  was  ordered  to  report 
with  his  battery  at  Yorktown.  When  he  arrived  Magruder, 
who  had  known  him  in  the  old  army,  detached  him  from  his 
battery  and  placed  him  in  command  of  all  the  artillery  on  his 
right.  Here  Ramseur  saw  his  first  active  service  in  the  field, 
and  received  the  promotion  of  Major.  On  the  arrival  of  the 
forces  of  McClellan  a  campaign  of  maneuvering  commenced 
which  delayed  advance  for  over  a  month.  In  the  meantime 
Ramseur  had  been  elected  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  Third  Regi- 
ment of  Volunteers,  but  declined  to  leave  his  battery.  Subse- 
quently, and  before  serious  demonstrations  had  begun,  he  was 
elected  Colonel  of  the  Forty-ninth  Regiment  of  Infantry.  He 
was  still  reluctant  to  leave  his  battery,  but  appreciating  the  fact 
that  Manly  and  its  other  officers  were  then  well  qualified  for 
any  duties  that  might  be  required  of  them,  through  the  per- 
suasion of  friends  he  was  induced  to  accept  the  promotion.  Sub- 
sequent events  soon  justified  his  confidence  in  this  artillery  com- 
pany. At  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  where  it  received  its  first 
baptism  of  fire,  it  gathered  fadeless  laurels  which  it  was  des- 
tined to  wear  throughout  the  war  with  a  fame  still  augmenting. 
The  Forty-ninth  Regiment  was  composed  of  raw  recruits  who 
were  gathered  together  in  the  camp  of  instruction  at  Raleigh, 
organized  into  companies  and  regiments  and  instructed  as  to  its 
duties  in  the  field.  With  his  accustomed  energy  and  ability 
Ramseur  immediately  addressed  himself  to  the  labor  of  making 
soldiers  out  of  these  new  recruits.  By  constant  drill  he  soon 
had  his  regiment  in  fair  condition;  and,  as  the  emergency  was 
pressing,  he  moved  with  it  to  the  point  of  danger.  The  regi- 
ment was  assigned  to  the  brigade  of  an  old  army  officer,  General 
Robert  Ransom,  who  was  soon  to  become  a  distinguished  Major 
General  of  cavalry  in  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  and 
thence  to  be  assigned  to  the  command  of  all  the  cavalry  under 
Lougstreet  in  his  operations  in  the  West.  In  the  series  of  bat- 
tles around  Richmond,  known  as  the  "Seven  Days'  Fight," 
3 


18 


Ramseur,  while  gallantly  leading  his  regiment  in  the  battle  of 
Malvern  Hill,  received  a  severe  and  disabling  wound  through 
the  right  arm,  hut  declined  to  leave  the  field  until  the  action  was 
over.  This  wound  necessitated  his  removal  to  Richmond,  where 
he  was  detained  for  over  a  month  before  his  injury  permitted 
him  to  enjoy  the  much-coveted  pleasure  of  a  visit  to  his  home. 
Indeed,  the  arm  was  broken,  and  he  was  ever  afterwards  com- 
pelled to  wear  it  in  a  sling. 

In  his  report  General  Ransom  speaks  of  the  conspicuous  gal- 
lantry of  Ramseur  and  his  men,  and  it  was  by  reason  of  his 
soldierly  qualities  mainly,  displayed  upon  this  occasion,  that  his 
promotion  to  the  rank  of 

BRIGADIER   GENERAL 

soon  followed.  While  still  at  home  wounded  Ramseur  received 
notice  of  his  unexpected  promotion.  At  first  he  doubted  whether 
one  so  young  should  accept  so  responsible  a  position,  and  was  dis- 
posed to  decline  the  promotion.  His  friends  did  not  coincide  in  his 
views,  and  through  their  persuasion  he  was  induced  to  accept  it. 
In  October,  1862,  with  his  arm  still  disabled,  he  went  to  Rich- 
mond to  make  a  decision  in  regard  to  the  brigade  offered  him. 
While  there  he  called  upon  Mr.  Davis,  alike  distinguished  as  a 
soldier  and  a  statesman,  to  whom  he  expressed  the  fears  then 
agitating  his  mind.  In  that  affable  and  engaging  manner  pecu- 
liar to  himself,  Mr.  Davis  at  once  dismissed  any  suggestion  of 
his  declining,  and  on  the  contrary  urged  him  to  accept  the  com- 
mand, return  home  and  remain  until  he  had  entirely  recovered 
his  health  and  his  strength.  But  Ramseur  obeyed  only  in  part 
the  suggestions  of  his  Commander-in-chief.  He  accepted  the 
command  of  the  brigade  and  went  at  once  to  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia,  and,  with  his  wound  still  green,  entered  upon 
the  discharge  of  his  duties.  This  brigade  was  then  composed 
of  the  Second  Regiment,  organized  and  instructed  by  that  able 
tactician,  scholarly  and  accomplished  gentleman,  Colonel  C  C. 
Tew,  who  was  killed  at  Sharpsburg;  the  Fourth  by  the  chiv- 
alrous and   lamented    Brigadier  General   George  B.   Anderson, 


19 


who  died  of  wounds  received  at  Sharpsburg;  the  Fourteenth, 
before  ks  reorganization,  was  commanded  and  instructed  by  that 
soldierly  and  ardent  North  Carolinian,  Brigadier  General  Junius 
Daniel,  who  fell  in  the  Spottsylvania  campaign  ere  his  commis- 
sion as  a  Major  General  had  reached  him;  and  the  Thirtieth 
by  Colonel  F.  M.  Parker,  the  brave  soldier  and  courteous  gen- 
tleman, of  whom  further  mention  will  be  made  during  the  course 
of  this  narrative.  Ramseur,  "like  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of 
silver,"  was  aptly  and  fitly  chosen  the  worthy  commander  of 
this  distinguished  brigade,  and  immediately  addressed  himself  to 
its  reorganization.  His  admirable  qualifications  for  his  duties 
and  his  pure  and  chivalrous  character  were  soon  recognized  and 
appreciated  and  infused  new  life  and  spirit  into  the  command. 
Asa  disciplinarian  he  was  rigid;  as  a  tactician,  skillful;  as  a 
judge  of  men,  good;  as  a  redressor  of  wrongs,  prompt;  as  an 
officer,  courteous  and  urbane;  as  a  soldier,  fearless  and  chival- 
rous. He  early  commanded  the  respect  and  ultimately  won  the 
hearts  of  all  over  whom  he  held  command.  This  brigade  at 
the  time  he  assumed  command  was  in  Rodes'  Division  of  Jack- 
sou's  Corps.  Ramseur  remained  in  command  without  events  of 
any  particular  importance  occurring  until  he  entered   upon  his 

CHANCELLORSVILLE    CAMPAIGN. 

His  report  of  that  famous  battle  is  so  full  and  complete,  and  so 
clearly  displays  the  unselfish  and  chivalrous  nature  of  this  officer, 
I  am  confident  I  cannot  do  better  than  to  incorporate  it  as  a  part 
of  this  sketch.     It  reads  as  follows: 

"May  23,  1864. 

"Sir: — In  obedience  to  Orders  No.  — ,  dated  May  7th,  1863, 
I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  opera- 
tions of  my  brigade  in  the  series  of  skirmishes  and  battles  open- 
ing at  Massaponax  Creek  and  euding  in  the  splendid  victory  at 
Chancellorsville : 

"Wednesday  a.  m.,  April  29th,  the  brigade  was  placed  below 
Massaponax  Creek  to  dispute  the  enemy's  crossing,  and  remained 


20 


in  that  position,  occasionally  annoyed  by  their  artillery  (by  which 
I  lost  a  few  men)  and  kept  on  the  alert  by  picket  firing  until 
Thursday  evening,  when  we  were  withdrawn  to  a  point  near 
Hamilton's  Crossing. 

"Friday,  May  1st,  at  3  A.  M.,  we  were  aroused  for  the  march 
and  led  the  advance  of  Major  General  Rodes'  Division  in  the 
direction  of  Chancellorsville.  At  a  distance  of  seven  miles  from 
Fredericksburg  we  were  detached  from  our  own  division  and 
ordered  to  report  to  Major  General  Anderson,  when  we  advanced 
upon  the  enemy,  who  fell  back  in  confusion  before  our  sharp- 
shooters for  several  miles,  strewing  the  way  with  their  arms  and 
baggage,  this  brigade,  with  General  Posey  on  our  right  and  Gen- 
eral Wright  ou  our  left,  for  upwards  perhaps  of  two  miles, 
being  in  advance.  About  6  P.  M.  we  found  the  foe  in  force  upon 
our  front  and  supported  by  batteries  that  poured  grape  unsparingly 
into  the  woods  through  which  we  were  still  advancing.  Night 
approaching  a  halt  was  ordered,  and  we  slept  on  our  arms  with 
a  strong  picket  line  on  the  outposts. 

"Saturday,  May  2d,  we  were  relieved  about  sunrise  and  shortly 
thereafter  marched  by  a  series  of  circuitous  routes  and  with  sur- 
passing strategy  to  a  position  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  whom 
at  about  5  p.  m.  we  were  ordered  to  attack. 

"This  brigade  was  directed  to  support  Brigadier  General  Col- 
quitt, with  orders  to  overlap  his  right  by  one  regiment,  and  was 
placed  accordingly.  At  the  command  we  advanced  with  the 
division,  preserving  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred  yards  in 
the  rear  of  General  Colquitt.  Brisk  firing  was  soon  heard  upon 
our  front  and  left,  indicating  that  General  Doles  had  encountered 
the  foe.  At  this  point  General  Colquitt  moved  by  the  right 
flank,  sending  me  word  by  an  officer  of  his  staff  that  the  enemy 
was  attempting  to  turn  his  right.  I  immediately  moved  by  the 
right  flank,  but  heard  no  firing  in  that  quarter.  Again  he  sent 
his  staff  officer  to  inform  me  that  the  enemy  was  passing  by  his 
right  flank,  when  I  directed  him  to  say  to  General  Colquitt  (in 
effect)  that  the  firing  indicated  a  sharp  fight  with  General  Doles, 
and  that  my  impression  was  that  his  support  was  needed  there, 


21 


and  that  I  would  take  care  of  his  right  flank.  General  Colquitt 
moved  to  the  front,  with  the  exception  of  one  regiment,  which 
continued  to  the  right.  I  then  pressed  on  by  the  right  flank  to 
meet  the  enemy  that  General  Colquitt's  staff  officer  twice  reported 
to  me  to  be  in  that  direction,  and  prosecuted  the  search  for  half 
a  mile  perhaps,  but  not  a  solitary  Yankee  was  to  be  seen.  I 
then  came  up  to  the  division  line  and  moved  by  the  left  flank  to 
the  support  of  General  Colquitt,  whose  men  were  resting  in  line 
of  battle  on  the  field  General  Doles  had  won. 

"Saturday  night  our  division  occupied  the  last  line  of  battle 
within  the  intrencliments  from  which  the  routed  corps  of  Sigel 
had  fled  in  terror.  My  brigade  was  placed  perpendicular  to  the 
plank-road,  the  left  resting  on  the  road,  General  Doles  ou  my 
right  and  Colonel  (E.  A.)  O'Neal,  commanding  Rodes'  Brigade, 
on  my  left.  I  placed  Colonel  (F.  M.)  Parker,  Thirtieth  North 
Carolina,  on  the  right  of  my  brigade;  Colonel  (R.  T.)  Bennett, 
Fourteenth  North  Carolina,  on  right  centre;  Colonel  (W.  R.) 
Cox,  Second  North  Carolina,  left  centre,  aud  Colonel  (Bryan) 
Grimes,  Fourth  North  Carolina,  on  left. 

"Sunday,  May  3d,  the  division,  being  as  stated,  in  the  third  line 
of  battle,  advanced  about  9  o'clock  to  the  support  of  the  second 
line.  After  proceeding  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  I  was  applied 
to  by  Major  (W.  J.)  Pegram  for  support  to  his  battery,  when  I 
detached  Colonel  Parker,  Thirtieth  North  Carolina,  for  this  pur- 
pose, with  orders  to  advance  obliquely  to  his  front  and  left  and 
join  me  after  his  support  should  be  no  longer  needed,  or  to  fight 
his  regiment  as  circumstauces  might  require.  I  continued  to 
advance  to  the  first  line  of  breastworks,  from  which  the  enemy  had 
beeu  driven,  and  behind  which  I  found  a  small  portion  of  Paxton's 
Brigade  and  Jones'  Brigade,  of  Trimble's  Division.  Knowing  that 
a  general  advance  had  been  ordered,  I  told  these  troops  to  move 
forward.  Not  a  man  moved.  I  then  reported  this  state  of  things 
to  Major  General  Stuart,  who  directed  me  to  assume  command 
of  these  troops  and  compel  them  to  advance.  This  I  essayed  to 
do,  aud,  after  fruitless  efforts,  ascertained  that  General  Jones  was 
not  on  the  field  aud  that  Colonel  (T.  S.)  Garnett  had  been  killed, 


22 


I  reported  again  to  General  Stuart,  who  was  near,  and  requested 
permission  to  run  over  the  troops  in  my  front,  which  was  cheer- 
fully granted.  At  the  command  "Forward!"  my  brigade,  with 
a  shout,  cleared  the  breastworks  and  charged  the  enemy.  The 
Fourth  North  Carolina  (Colonel  Grimes)  and  seven  companies 
of  the  Second  North  Carolina  (Colonel  Cox)  drove  the  enemy 
before  them  until  they  had  taken  the  last  line  of  his  works, 
which  they  held  under  a  severe,  direct  and  enfilading  fire,  repul- 
sing several  assaults  on  this  portion  of  our  front.  The  Four- 
teenth North  Carolina  (Colonel  Bennett)  and  three  companies  of 
the  Second  were  compelled  to  halt  some  one  hundred  and  fifty 
or  two  hundred  yards  in  rear  of  the  troops  just  mentioned  for 
the  reason  that  the  troops  on  my  right  had  failed  to  come  up 
and  the  enemy  was  in  heavy  force  on  my  right  flank.  Had 
Colonel  Bennett  advanced  the  enemy  could  easily  have  turned  my 
right.  As  it  was,  my  line  was  subjected  to  a  horrible  enfilading 
fire,  by  which  I  lost  severely.  I  saw  the  danger  threatening 
my  right,  and  sent  several  times  to  Jones'  Brigade  to  come  to  my 
assistance,  and  I  also  went  back  twice  myself  and  exhorted  and 
ordered  it  (officers  and  men)  to  fill  up  the  gap  (some  five  or  six 
hundred  yards)  on  my  right,  but  all  in  vain.  I  then  reported 
to  General  Rodes  that  unless  support  was  sent  to  drive  the 
enemy  from  my  right  I  would  have  to  fall  back.  In  the  mean- 
time Colonel  Parker  of  the  Thirtieth  North  Carolina,  approach- 
ing from  the  battery  on  the  right,  suddenly  fell  upon  the  flank 
and  repulsed  a  heavy  column  of  the  enemy  who  were  moving  to 
get  in  my  rear  by  my  right  flank,  some  three  or  four  hundred  of 
them  surrendering  to  him  as  prisoners  of  war.  The  enemy  still 
held  his  strong  position  in  the  ravine  on  my  right,  so  that  the 
Fourteenth  North  Carolina  and  the  three  companies  of  the  Second 
North  Carolina  could  not  advance.  The  enemy  discovered  this 
situation  of  affairs  and  pushed  a  brigade  to  the  right  and  rear  of 
Colonel  Grimes  aud'seveu  companies  of  Colonel  Cox's  (Second 
North  Carolina),  with  the  intention  of  capturing  their  com- 
mands. This  advance  was  made  under  a  terrible  direct  fire  of 
musketry  and   artillery.     The   move   necessitated  a   retrograde 


23 


movement  on  the  part  of  Colonels  Grimes  and  Cox,  which  was 
executed  in  order,  but  with  the  loss  of  some  prisoners,  who  did  not 
hear  the  command  to  retire.  Colonel  Bennett  held  his  position 
until  ordered  to  fall  back,  and,  in  common  with  all  the  others, 
to  replenish  his  empty  cartridge-boxes.  The  enemy  did  not  halt 
at  this  position,  but  retired  to  his  battery,  from  which  he  was 
quickly  driven,  Colonel  Parker  of  the  Thirtieth  North  Carolina 
sweeping  over  it  with  the  troops  on  my  right. 

"After  replenishing  cartridge-boxes  I  received  an  order  from 
Major  General  Rodes  to  throw  my  brigade  on  the  left  of  the 
road  to  meet  an  appreheuded  attack  of  the  enemy  in  that  quar- 
ter. This  was  done,  and  afterwards  I  was  moved  to  a  position 
on  the  plank-road  which  was  intrenched,  and  which  we  occupied 
until  the  division  was  ordered  back  to  camp  near  Hamilton's 
Crossing. 

"The  charge  of  the  brigade,  made  at  a  critical  moment,  when 
the  enemy  had  broken  and  was  hotly  pressing  the  centre  of  the 
line  in  our  front  with  apparently  overwhelming  numbers,  not  only 
checked  his  advance  but  threw  him  back  in  disorder  and  pushed 
him  with  heavy  loss  from  his  last  line  of  works. 

"Too  high  praise  cannot  be  accredited  to  officers  and  men  for 
their  gallantry,  fortitude  and  manly  courage  during  this  brief 
but  arduous  campaign.  Exposed  as  they  had  been  for  five  days 
immediately  preceding  the  fights  on  the  picket  line,  they  were, 
of  course,  somewhat  wearied,  but  the  order  to  move  forward  and 
confront  the  enemy  brightened  every  eye  and  quickened  every 
step.  Under  fire  all  through  Wednesday,  Wednesday  night  and 
Thursday,  without  being  able  effectually  to  return  this  fire,  they 
bore  all  bravely,  and  led  the  march  towards  Chancellorsville  on 
Friday  morning  in  splendid  order.  The  advance  of  the  brigade 
on  Friday  afternoon  was  made  under  the  very  eyes  of  our 
departed  hero  (Jackson)  and  of  Major  General  A.  P.  Hill,  whose 
words  of  praise  and  commendation,  bestowed  upon  the  field,  we 
fondly  cherish.  And  on  Sunday  the  magnificent  charge  of  the 
brigade  upon  the  enemy's  last  and  most  terrible  stronghold  was 
made  in   view  of  Major  General  Stuart  and  our  division  com- 


24 


mander,  Major  General  R.  E.  Rodes,  whose  testimony  that  it 
was  the  most  glorious  charge  of  that  most  glorious  day,  we  are 
proud  to  remember  and  report  to  our  kiudred  and  friends. 

"To  enumerate  all  the  officers  and  men  who  deserve  special 
mention  for  their  gallantry  would  he  to  return  a  list  of  all 
who  were  on  the  field.  All  met  the  enemy  with  unflinching 
courage;  and  for  privations,  hardships,  and  splendid  marches, 
all  of  which  were  cheerfully  borne,  they  richly  deserve  the  thanks 
of  our  beautiful  and  glorious  Confederacy. 

"I  cannot  close  without  mentioning  the  conspicuous  gallantry 
and  great  efficiency  of  my  regimental  commander.  Colonel  Par- 
ker of  the  Thirtieth  North  Carolina  was  detached  during;  the 
fight  of  Sunday  to  support  a  battery,  and  having  accomplished 
that  object  moved  forward  on  his  own  responsibility  and  greatly 
contributed  to  wrest  the  enemy's  stronghold  at  Chancellorsville 
from  their  grasp  as  well  as  prevent  their  threatened  demonstra- 
tions upon  the  right  of  my  brigade;  the  gallant  Grimes  of  the 
Fourth  North  Carolina,  whose  conduct  on  other  fields  gave 
promise  of  what  was  fully  realized  on  this;  Colonel  Bennett  of 
the  Fourteenth  North  Carolina,  conspicuous  for  his  coolness 
under  the  hottest  fire,  and  last,  though  not  least,  the  manly  and 
chivalrous  Cox  of  the  Second  North  Carolina,  the  accomplished 
gentleman,  splendid  soldier,  and  warm  friend,  who,  though 
wounded  five  times,  remained  with  his  regiment  until  exhausted. 
In  common  with  the  entire  command,  I  regret  his  temporary 
absence  from  the  field,  where  he  loved  to  be. 

"Major  Daniel  W.  Hurtt,  Second  North  Carolina  State 
Troops,  commanded  the  skirmishers  faithfully  and  well. 

"To  the  field  and  company  officers,  one  and  all,  my  thanks 
are  due  for  the  zeal  and  bravery  displayed  under  the  most  try- 
ing circumstances. 

"To  the  gentlemen  of  my  staff  I  owe  especial  thanks  for  ser- 
vices rendered  on  the  march  and  upon  the  field.  Captain  Seatou 
Gales,  Assistant  Adjutaut  General,  and  Lieutenant  Caleb  Rich- 
mond, Aide-de-camp,  were  with  me  all  the  time,  promptly  car- 
rying orders  under  the  very   hottest  fire.     I  take  pleasure,  too, 


25 

in  speaking  of  the  bravery  of  private  James  Stinson,  courier, 
a  youth  of  twenty,  who  displayed  qualities  a  veteran  might  boast 
of,  and  of  the  conduct  of  private  J.  B.  Beggarly,  also  a  courier 
to  headquarters. 

"To  Dr.  G.  W.  Briggs,  Senior   Surgeon  of  the  brigade,  my 
thanks  are  due  for  his  zeal,  skill,  and  care  of  the  wounded. 
"I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"Stephen  D.  Ramseur, 
"  Brigadier  General  Commanding." 

In  the  report  of  this  battle  by  Major  General  Rodes  he 
makes  the  following  remarks  as  to  the  part  borne  by  Ramseur's 
Brigade : 

"  While  these  movements  were  taking  place  on  the  left,  Ram- 
seur and  Doles  pushed  forward  on  the  right,  passed  the  first  line 
of  intrench ments,  which  had  already  been  carried,  passed  the 
first  and  second  lines  of  our  troops,  and  became  fiercely  engaged. 
Doles  deflecting  to  the  right,  passed  up  a  ravine  behind  the  grave- 
yard on  Chancellor's  Hill,  and  finally  came  out  in  the  field  nearly 
opposite  the  house,  driving  the  enemy  before  him  as  he  advanced, 
actually  getting  several  hundred  yards  to  the  rear  as  well  of 
those  troops  opposing  the  rest  of  my  division  as  of  those  oppos- 
ing General  Anderson's  Division.  Subsequently  he  was  com- 
pelled to  fall  back  and  was  directed  by  General  Lee  to  take  a 
large  body  of  prisoners.  Ramseur,  after  vainly  urging  the 
troops  in  the  first  line  of  intrenchment  to  move  forward,  obtained 
permission  to  pass  them,  and,  dashing  over  the  works,  charged 
the  second  intrenchment  in  the  most  brilliant  style.  The  strug- 
gle at  this  point  was  long  and  obstinate,  but  the  charge  on  the 
left  of  the  plank-road  at  this  time  caused  the  enemy  to  give  way 
on  his  left,  and  this,  combined  with  the  unflinching  determina- 
tion of  his  men,  carried  the  day  and  gavg  him  possession  of  the 
works.  Not  being  supported,  he  was  exposed  still  to  a  galling 
fire  from  the  right,  with  great  danger  of  being  flanked.  Not- 
4 


26 


withstanding  repeated  efforts  made  by  him,  and  by  myself  in 
person,  none  of  the  troops  in  his  rear  would  move  up  until  the 
old  "Stonewall  Brigade"  arrived  on  the  ground  and  gallantly 
advauced  in  conjunction  with  the  Thirtieth  North  Carolina  Regi- 
ment, Colonel  F.  M.  Parker,  of  Ramseur's  Brigade,  which  had 
been  detached  to  support  a  battery,  and  was  now  on  its  return. 
Occupying  the  works  on  the  right  of  Ramseur,  and  thus  reliev- 
ing him  when  his  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted,  the  Stone- 
wall Brigade  pushed  on  and  carried  Chancellorsville  heights, 
making  the  third  time  that  they  were  captured." 

In  this  battle  Ramseur,  though  severely  wounded,  declined 
to  leave  the  field,  and  is  especially  mentioned  by  Rodes  as  one 
who  was  "distinguished  for  great  gallantry  and  efficiency  in  this 
action." 

It  will  be  remembered  that  it  was  here  that  that  great  ideal 
soldier  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  who  stood  second 
only  to  Lee,  Stonewall  Jackson,  fell  mortally  wounded,  and  was 
carried  from  the  field.  His  command  then  devolved  on  A.  P. 
Hill,  who  was  wounded,  and  then  upon  General  J.  E.  B. 
Stuart,  whose  plume,  like  that  of  Harry  of  Navarre,  was 
always  seen  conspicuous  in  the  thickest  of  the  affray.  While 
each  of  these  Generals  mentioned  Ramseur  and  his  brigade  in 
the  most  flattering  terms,  I  will  not  stop  to  quote  from  their 
reports.  I  prefer  to  hasten  on  and  call  your  attention  to  what 
will  be  recognized  by  every  soldier  of  that  army  as  one  of  the 
highest  compliments  and  most  distinguished  tributes  that  could 
have  been  paid  to  Ramseur  and  his  command.  I  beg  you  to 
pause  and  reflect  upon  the  force  and  power  of  each  expression. 
It  emanates  from  one  not  given  to  compliments,  but  who,  in  all 
of  his  public  communications,  seemed  to  weigh  and  carefully  con- 
sider each  word  that  he  used.  I  am  confident  that  the  existence 
of  this  letter  was  not  known  either  to  Ramseur  or  to  any  of  his 
command  when  written,  and  came  to  my  notice  for  the  first  time 
only  very  recently. 


27 

GENERAL    LEE'S   TRIBUTE. 

It  reads  as  follows: 

"Headquarters  Army  of  Northern  Virginia, 

"June  4th,  1863. 
"His  Excellency  Zebulon  B.  Vance. 

"  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  Raleigh: 

"Governor: — I  have  the  honor  to  call  the  attention  of  your 
Excellency  to  the  reduced  condition  of  Brigadier  General  Ram- 
senr's  Brigade.  Its  ranks  have  beeu  much  thinned  by  the  casu- 
alties of  the  battles  in  which  it  has  beeu  engaged,  in  all  of  which 
it  has  rendered  conspicuous  service.  I  consider  its  brigade  aud 
regimental  commanders  as  among  the  best  of  their  respective 
grades  iu  the  army,  and  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  where 
the  brigade  was  much  distinguished  and  suffered  severely,  Gen- 
eral Ramseur  was  among  those  whose  conduct  was  especially 
commended  to  my  notice  by  Lieutenant  General  Jackson  iu  a 
message  sent  to  me  after  he  was  wounded.  I  am  very  desirous 
that  the  efficiency  of  this  brigade  should  be  increased  by  filling 
its  ranks,  and  respectfully  ask  that,  if  it  be  in  your  power,  you 
will  send  on  recruits  for  its  various  regiments  as  soon  as  possible. 
If  this  cannot  be  done  I  would  recommend  that  two  additional 
regiments  be  sent  to  it  if  they  can  be  had.  I  am  satisfied  that 
the  men  could  be  used  in  no  better  way  to  render  valuable  ser- 
vice to  the  country  and  win  credit  for  themselves  and  their  State. 
"I  am,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)         "R.  E.  Lee, 

"  General" 

Mark  the  language:  "I  consider  its  brigade  and  regimental 
commanders  the  best  of  their  respective  grades  in  the  army." 
What  army?  The  Army  of  Northern  Virginia!  The  best  on 
the  continent!  Who  sends  a  message  to  Lee  about  Ramseur 
that  is  worthy  to  be  repeated  to  the  Governor  of  the  State? 
Stonewall  Jackson,  from  his  bed  of  anguish.  No  higher  eulogy 
could  be  pronounced. 


28 


After  the  battle  of  Chaucellorsville,  Ramseur,  with  his  brigade, 
accompanied  the  army  of  Lee  in  its  invasion  of  Pennsylvania. 
In  connection  with  Rodes'  Division,  in  the  first  day's  fight  at 
Gettysburg  they  secured  the  elevated  ridge  known  as  Oak  Hill, 
which  was  the  key-note  of  the  entire  field.  Swinton,  in  his 
"Army  of  the  Potomac,"  says:  "When  towards  three  o'clock  a 
general  advance  was  made  by  the  Confederates,  Rodes  speedily 
broke  through  the  Union  centre,  carrying  away  the  right  of  the 
First  Corps  and  the  left  of  the  Eleventh,  and,  entering  the  inter- 
val between  them,  disrupted  the  whole  line."  The  Federal  troops 
fell  back  in  much  disorder,  and  were  pursued  by  our  troops 
through  the  town  of  Gettysburg.  This  was  our  opportunity  to 
have  seized  the  heights,  the  subsequent  assaults  on  which  proved 
so  disastrous  to  us  during  the  progress  of  this  battle.  Ramseur 
urged  that  the  pursuit  should  be  continued  until  Cemetery 
Heights  were  in  our  possession.  The  light  of  subsequent  events 
shows  that  he  was  clearly  in  the  right.  Our  friends  in  Vir- 
ginia are  fond  of  boasting  of  the  advanced  position  of  their  troops 
at  Gettysburg.  It  is  a  thing  to  be  boasted  of.  Her  sons  were  gal- 
lant and  martial,  and  far  be  it  from  me  to. detract  one  tittle  from 
the  fame  to  which  they  are  entitled,  yet  it  is  but  an  act  of  jus- 
tice to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  only  two  brigades  which 
entered  the  works  of  Cemetery  Heights  on  the  second  day  of 
the  battle  were  Hoke's  North  Carolina  and  Hays'  Louisiana 
brigades.  The  former  was  then  under  the  command  of  that 
gallant  soldier  and  accomplished  gentleman,  Colonel  Isaac  E. 
Avery,  who  lost  his  life  on  this  occasion  while  gallantly  leading 
his  brigade  on  the  heights  on  the  2d  of  July.     In  his  roport  of 

this  battle,  Early  says: 

#  *  *  *  ******* 

"As  soon  as  Johnson  became  warmly  engaged,  which  was  a 
little  before  dusk,  I  ordered  Hays  and  Avery  to  advance  and 
carry  the  works  on  the  heights  in  front.  These  troops  advanced 
in  gallant  style  to  the  attack,  passing  over  the  ridge  in  front  of 
them  under  a  heavy  artillery  fire,  and  there  crossing  a  hollow 
between  that  and  Cemetery  Hill,  and  moving  up  this  hill  in  the 


29 


face  of  at  least  two  lines  of  infautry  posted  behind  stone  and 
plank  fences,  and  passing  over  all  obstacles,  they  reached  the 
crest  of  the  hill  and  entered  t lie  enemy's  breastworks,  crossing 
it,  getting  possession  of  one  or  two  batteries." 

Brigadier  General  Iverson,  of  Georgia,  had  manifested  such 
a  want  of  capacity  in  the  field  at  Gettysburg  he  was  relieved  of 
his  command  and  assigned  to  provost  guard  duty.  Asa  further 
mark  of  Lee's  appreciation  of  Ramseur  this  brigade  was  assigned 
temporarily  to  his  command,  in  addition  to  the  one  he  already 
commanded. 

In  the  various  skirmishes  and  battles  of  this  campaign  Ram- 
seur displayed  his  usual  efficiency  and  gallantry.  After  return- 
ing from  Pennsylvania  our  troops  went  into  winter  quarters 
near  Orange  Court  House,  and  as  it  was  clear  that  after  the 
exhaustive  campaigns  of  the  year  we  would  enjoy  a  period  of 
comparative  quiet,  Ramseur  obtained  a  leave  of  absence  for  the 
purpose  of  entering  into  the  most  important  relations  of  one's 
life.  He  had  long  been  attached  to  and  was  then  engaged  to 
Miss  Ellen  E.  Richmond,  of  Milton,  but  the  consummation  of 
his  hopes  had  been  often  deferred  by  the  exigencies  of  the  pub- 
lic service.  He  was  now  made  supremely  happy  in  their  mar- 
riage, which  occurred  on  the  22d  of  October,  1863. 

The  successive  failures  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  its  en- 
gagements with  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  created  a  general 
apprehension  throughout  the  North  that  unless  something  more 
satisfactory  was  accomplished  the  successful  issue  of  the  war  was 
becoming  a  most  doubtful  problem.  This  prompted  the  nomi- 
nation of  General  Grant  to  the  grade  of  Lieutenant  General  and 
he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  "all  the  armies  of  the  United 
States."  One  of  the  conditions  of  his  acceptance  was  that  he 
should  not  be  hampered  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  by  the 
central  authorities  at  Washington — a  wise  and  judicious  precau- 
tion, which  else  had  resulted  in  his  supersedure  after  his  terrible 
losses  at  Coal  Harbor,  where,  according  to  Swintou,  he  had  thir- 
teen thousand  of  his  men  killed  and  wounded  within  the  space 
of  two  hours,  and  this  without  inflicting  but  little  loss  on  his 
adversary. 


30 


On  the  morning  of  May  5th,  1864,  over  one  hundred  thou- 
sand of  Grant's  troops  had  crossed  the  Rapid  an,  and  thence  fol- 
lowed that  series  of  battles  on  the  overland  route  to  Richmond, 
wherein  the  killed,  wounded  and  disabled  on  the  part  of  Grant's 
army  were  as  great  as  the  whole  army  of  Lee  when  these 
engagements  commenced.  During  this  march  Ramseur's  men 
were  frequently  engaged  in  successful  skirmishes  and  battles 
with  the  enemy,  but  the  great  battle  in  which  he  shone  con- 
spicuously was  on  the  12th  of  May,  at 

SPOTTSYLVANIA    COURT    HOUSE. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  11th  there  was  severe  fighting  on  our 
right,  when  Ramseur's  men  mounted  over  our  works  and 
drove  the  enemy  from  our  front  in  a  hand-to-hand  engage- 
ment. It  was  expected  by  Lee  that  during  the  night  Grant 
would  withdraw  his  troops  for  the  purpose  of  continuing  his 
advance  on  Richmond.  In  order  to  be  in  readiness  to  confront 
him  when  he  should  make  this  change,  Lee  had  directed  that 
the  guns  in  front  of  Ed.  Johnson's  Division,  in  a  point  in  our 
lines  known  as  the  " salient,"  should  be  withdrawn  during  the 
night  to  facilitate  our  movements  in  the  morning.  This  fact 
became  known  to  Grant  through  a  deserter  from  our  lines. 
Hancock's  Corps  was  in  front  of  this  point,  aud  he  was  directed 
to  approach  under  the  cover  of  night  and  a  dense  fog  and  assault 
the  Hue  at  early  dawn.  The  attack  resulted  most  successfully, 
for  our  works  were  captured,  together  with  a  large  number  of 
prisoners.  To  restore  in  part  this  line  became  Ramseur's  duty. 
In  his  report  of  the  action  he  speaks  substantially  as  follows: 
That  in  anticipation  of  an  attack  on  his  front  on  the  morning  of 
the  12th  he  had  his  brigade  under  arms  at  early  dawn.  Very 
soon  he  heard  a  terrible  assault  on  his  right.  He  therefore 
moved  Cox's  Regiment,  which  was  in  reserve,  to  a  position  per- 
pendicular to  his  line  of  battle.  At  this  time  the  enemy  was 
massing  his  troops  for  a  further  advance.  For  the  purpose  of 
driving  him  back  he  formed  his  brigade  in  a  line  parallel  to  the 
two  lines    held    by    the    enemy.     The   men    in    charging    were 


31 


directed  to  keep  their  allignment  and  not  pause  until  both  lines 
of  works  were  ours.  How  gallantly  and  successfully  these 
orders  were  executed  were  witnessed  by  Geuerals  Rodes  and 
Ewell.  The  two  lines  of  Federal  troops  were  driven  pell-mell 
out  and  over  both  lines  of  our  original  works  with  great  loss. 
The  enemy  held  the  breastworks  on  our  right,  enfilading  the 
line  with  destructive  tire,  at  the  same  time  heavily  assaulting  our 
right  front.  In  this  extremity,  Colonel  Bennett  of  the  Four- 
teenth offered  to  take  his  regiment  from  left  to  right,  under  a 
severe  fire,  and  drive  baek  the  growing  masses  of  the  enemy  on 
our  right.  This  hazardous  offer  was  accepted  as  a  forlorn  hope, 
and  was  most  successfully  executed.  To  Colonel  Bennett  and  his 
men,  says  General  Ramseur,  and  his  gallant  officers,  all  honor  is 
due.  I  distinctly  recall  the  circumstances  under  which  the 
charge  was  made,  and  for  cool  audacity  and  unflinching  courage 
I  never  saw  it  surpassed.  At  the  time  the  movement  was  com- 
menced Colonel  Parker's  Regiment  and  the  Federals  were  engaged 
in  a  hand-to-hand  encounter  in  and  over  the  works,  while  my 
regiment  was  pouring  a  most  destructive  fire  into  the  Federals  in 
our  front.  We  entered  these  works  at  4  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  the  12th  and  remained  in  the  works  fighting  and  contending 
for  over  twenty  hours.  When  relieved,  hungry  and  exhausted, 
we  dropped  upon  the  wet  ground   and   slept  most   profoundly. 

A  correspondent  of  the  London  Morning  Herald,  who  had 
familiar  access  to  Lee's  headquarters,  in  a  description  of  the  bat- 
tle of  the  Wilderness,  gives  this  vivid  account  of  the  action  of 
Ramseur's  Brigade  on  the  morning  of  the  12th  : 

"The  Federalists  continued  to  hold  their  ground  in  the  sa- 
lient, and  aloug  the  line  of  works,  to  the  left  of  that  augle, 
within  a  short  distance  of  the  position  of  Monoghan's  (Hays') 
Louisianians.  Ramseur's  North  Carolinians  of  Rodes'  Division 
formed,  covering  Monoghan's  right;  and  being  ordered  to 
charge,  were  received  by  the  enemy  with  a  stubborn  resistance. 
The  desperate  character  of  the  struggle  along  that  brigade-front 
was  told  terribly  in  the  hoarseness  and  rapidity  of  its  musketry. 
So  close  was  the  fighting  there,  for  a  time,  that  the  fire  of  friend 


32 


and  foe  rose  up  rattling  in  one  common  roar.  Ramseur's  North 
Carolinians  dropped  in  the  ranks  thick  and  fast,  but  still  he 
continued,  with  glorious  constancy,  to  gain  ground,  foot  by  foot. 
Pressing  under  a  fierce  fire,  resolutely  on,  on,  on,  the  struggle 
was  about  to  become  one  of  hand  to  hand,  when  the  Federalists 
shrank  from  the  bloody  trial.  Driven  back,  they  were  not  de- 
feated. The  earthworks  being  at  the  moment  in  their  immedi- 
ate rear,  they  bounded  on  the  opposite  side;  and  having  thus 
placed  them  in  their  front,  they  renewed  the  conflict.  A  rush 
of  an  instant  brought  Ramseur's  men  to  the  side  of  the  de- 
fenses; and  though  they  crouched  close  to  the  slopes,  under  en- 
filade from  the  guns  of  the  salient,  their  musketry  rattled  in 
deep  and  deadly  fire  on  the  enemy  that  stood  in  overwhelming 
numbers  but  a  few  yards  from  their  front.  Those  brave  North 
Carolinians  had  thus,  in  one  of  the  hottest  conflicts  of  the  day, 
succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy  from  the  works  that  had  been 
occupied  during  the  previous  night  by  a  brigade  which,  until 
the  12th  of  May,  had  never  yet  yielded  to  a  foe — the  Stone- 
wall." 

In  an  address  before  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  Colonel 
Venable,  of  Lee's  staff,  says  :  "  The  restoration  of  the  battle  on 
the  12th,  thus  rendering  utterly  futile  the  success  achieved  by 
Hancock's  Corps  at  daybreak,  was  a  wonderful  feat  of  arms,  in 
which  all  the  troops  engaged  deserve  the  greatest  credit  for 
endurance,  constancy  and  unflinching  courage.  But  without 
unjust  discrimination,  we  may  say  that  Gordon,  Rodes  and 
Ramseur  were  the  heroes  of  this  bloody  day.  *  *  *  *  Rodes 
and  Ramseur  were  destined,  alas!  in  a  few  short  months,  to  lay 
down  their  noble  lives  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia.  There  was 
no  victor's  chaplet  more  highly  prized  by  the  Roman  soldier 
than  that  woven  of  the  grass  of  early  spring.  Then  let  the 
earliest  flowers  of  May  be  always  intertwined  in  the  garlands 
which  the  pious  hands  of  our  fair  women  shall  lay  on  the  tombs 
of  Rodes  and  Ramseur,  and  of  the  gallant  dead  of  the  battle  of 
twenty  hours  at  Spottsylvania." 


General  Long,  in  his  "  Life  of  Lee,"  puts  the  name  of  Ramseur 
in  the  van  of  those  who  rushed  into  this  angle  of  death  and 
hurled  back  the  Federals'  most  savage  sallies.  During  the  long 
and  fierce  struggle  I  saw  soldiers  place  the  arras  of  their  com- 
rades who  had  just  fallen  in  such  a  position  as  when  they  had 
become  stiffened  thev  would  hold  the  cartridges  we  were  using. 
Yes,  fighting  and  exhausted,  amidst  blood  and  mud  and  brains, 
they  would  sit  on  the  bodies  of  their  fallen  comrades  for  rest, 
and  dared  not  show  even  a  finger  above  the  breastworks,  for  so 
terrible  was  the  fire  at  this  angle  that  a  tree  eighteen  inches  in 
diameter  was  cut  asunder  by  minnie  balls.  After  the  battle  was 
over  Generals  Lee  and  Ewell  thauked  Ramseur  in  person,  and 
directed  him  to  carry  to  his  officers  aud  men  their  high  appreci- 
ation of  their  conspicuous  services  and  heroic  daring.  At  this 
time  such  portions  of  the  First  and  Third  Regiments  as  were 
not  captured  in  the  salient  were  placed  in  the  brigade,  and  it  is 
sufficient  praise  to  bear  witness  that  from  that  time  on  to  the 
surrender  at  Appomattox  their  officers  and  men  always  showed 
themselves  worthy  of  the  highest  confidence  reposed  in  them. 
In  appreciation  of  the  conspicuous  services  rendered  by  Ram- 
seur on  this  occasion,  he  was  made  a  Major  General  and  assigned 
t<>  the  command  of  Early's  Division,  and  I  had  the  distinguished 
honor  of  being  assigned  to  Ramseur's  (now  to  become  Cox's) 
historic;  brigade. 

THE    VALLEY    OF    VIRGINIA, 

both  physically  and  strategically,  is  one  of  "the  most  attractive 
regions  of  that  State.  It  is  not  less  distinguished  for  the  bril- 
liant achievements  of  Stonewall  Jackson  than  for  the  ardent 
patriotism  of  its  men  and  the  devotion  and  sacrifices  of  its 
women  to  the  cause  of  the  South.  It  was  here  that  Jackson, 
with  only  a  little  army  of  thirteen  thousand  men,  defeated  aud 
drove  from  the  valley  Milroy,  Fremont,  Banks  and  Shields, 
whose  combined  forces  were  five  times  as  great  as  his  owu, 
besides  capturing  vast  quantities  of  much  needed  commissary 
and  ordnance  stores  and  large  numbers  of  prisoners.  After 
5 


34 


the  battle  of  Coal  Harbor  the  Second  Corps,  composed  of  Ram- 
seur's, Rodes'  and  Gordon's  Divisions,  were  placed  under  the 
command  of  Early,  and  directed  to  proceed  to  this  valley, 
with  instructions  to  capture  or  destroy  the  army  of  Hunter, 
a  recreant  Virginian,  who  was  marching  in  the  direction  of 
Lynchburg,  destroying  the  country  as  he  moved  along.  Attached 
to  this  corps  was  Nelson's  and  Braxton's  battalions  of  artillery, 
together  with  a  division  of  cavalry.  At  this  time  Breckinridge, 
who,  in  a  brilliant  engagement,  had  recently  defeated  Sigel, 
was  at  Lynchburg  awaiting  our  arrival.  Our  troops  were  trans- 
ported by  rail.  Ramseur's  and  the  greater  part  of  Gordon's 
Divisions  were  sent  forward  as  soou  as  they  were  ready.  They 
arrived  at  Lynchburg  at  about  4  o'clock  p.  m.,  on  the  17th 
of  June.  Here  they  united  with  Breckinridge  and  the  troops 
of  Major  General  Ransom,  who  was  in  command  of  the  whole 
cavalry  in  the  valley.  Hunter  was  in  camp  near  the  city 'of 
Lynchburg.  In  a  letter  to  me,  General  Ransom  says  that  at 
this  time  "he  (Ramseur)  and  I  reconiioitered  the  left  flank  of 
Hunter's  army  and  found  it  could  be  most  advantageously 
assailed,  and  in  person  reported  the  fact  to  General  Early,  who 
said  he  would  not  attack  until  the  whole  of  Rodes'  Division  had 
arrived  from  Richmond.  The  opportunity  to  destroy  Hunter's 
army  was  then  lost."  Hunter  took  counsel  of  his  fears  and 
advantage  of  the  cover  of  night  and  darkness  to  make  a  hasty 
retreat.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  we  commenced  a 
pursuit,  and  just  before  night  overtook  the  enemy's  rear  at  Lib- 
erty, when  Ramseur's  Division  moved  on  it  and  drove  it  through 
the  place.  It  was  now  ascertained  that  Hunter  had  not  taken 
the  route  that  we  anticipated,  but  had  retreated  by  way  of  Beau- 
ford's  Gap,  where,  the  next  day,  he  was  found  occupying  a  com- 
manding position  on  the  crest  of  the  mountian.  After  our 
arrival  we  spent  the  afternoon  in  efforts  to  secure  a  position  from 
which  to  successfully  assail  him  the  following  day.  Hunter,  by 
our  failure  to  promptly  pursue  at  daylight,  made  his  escape,  and 
being  in  the  mountains  further  pursuit  was  useless.  Early,  in 
his  report,  says:  "By   mistake  of  the  messenger  who  was  sent 


35 


with  orders  to  General  Rodes  to  lead  the  next  morning,  there 
was  some  delay  in  his  movement  on  the  21st,  but  the  pursuit 
was  resumed  very  shortly  after  sunrise."  After  resting  a  day 
we  resumed  the  march  and  reached  Buchanan  that  night.  Our 
uext  important  move  was  to  cross  the  Potomac  into  Maryland. 
We  reached  Frederick,  Md.,  about  the  9th  of  the  month,  when 
Ramseur,  after  a  slight  resistance,  moved  through  the  town  and 
brushed  away  the  Federals  before  him.  Our  invasion  had  so 
alarmed  the  Federal  capital  that  General  Wallace  was  directed  to 
move  at  once  with  such  forces  as  he  had  and  could  collect  and 
interpose  them  between  us  and  Washington.  When  Wallace 
reached  our  front  he  drew  his  troops  up  on  the  eastern  bank 
of  I  he 

MONOCACY. 

Ramseur  deployed  in  his  front,  drove  his  skirmishers  across 
the  river  and  a  brief  and  brisk  artillery  duel  followed.  In  the 
meantime  McCausland,  with  his  cavalry,  crossed  the  river, 
attacked  the  Federal  left  flank  and  threw  it  into  confusion, 
which  Early  discovering,  threw  forward  Gordon's  Division, 
commanded  by  Breckinridge.  Gordon  moved  to  the  assistance 
of  McCausland,  while  Ramseur  crossed  over  the  railroad  bridge 
and  fell  upon  Wallace,  who  retreated  with  great  precipitation, 
leaving  in  our  hands  six  or  seven  hundred  prisoners  besides 
his  killed  and  wounded.  Our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded 
was  severe,  but  as  this  was  a  sharp  and  brilliant  engagement, 
well  planned  aud  spiritedly  executed,  it  infused  new  life  into 
our  troops.  On  the  10th  we  moved  to  Rockville.  As  the  weather 
was  hot  and  the  roads  dusty,  our  troops  were  easily  fatigued  and 
made  but  slow  progress.  The  next  day  we  resumed  the  march, 
aud  in  the  afternoon  reached  Seventh  street  pike,  which  leads  into 
Washington.  In  a  history  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  Swiu- 
ton,  in  speaking  of  this  movement,  says:  ''By  afternoon  the 
Confederate  infantry  had  come  up  and  showed  a  strong  line  in 
front  of  Fort  Stevens.  Early  had  there  an  opportunity  to  dash 
iuto  the  city,  the  works  being  very  slightly  defended.  The  hope  at 
headquarters  that  the  capital  could  be  saved  from  capture  was  very 


36 


slender."  The  truth  is,  the  Sixth  and  Ninth  Corps  of  Grant's 
army  were  then  en  route  to  save  the  capital,  and  for  us  to  have 
entered  it  at  this  time  might,  in  the  end,  have  proved  a  costly 
experiment.  Probably  more  expedition  might  have  been  exer- 
cised by  us  in  our  march.  After  reconnoitering  and  skirmishing 
a  couple  of  days,  we  turned  our  backs  on  the  capital,  beat  a  hasty 
retreat  to  the  Potomac,  followed  by  the  enemy's  cavalry. 

The  next  engagement  of  any  importance  in  which  Ramseur 
was  concerned  was  at  Winchester,  where  he  was  left  with  his 
command  and  a  battery  of  artillery  to  protect  the  place  from  a 
threatened  attack  from  Averill.  While  here  he  was  informed 
by  General  Vaughan,  in  command  of  the  cavalry,  that  Averill, 
with  a  small  force,  was  at  Stephenson's  Depot,  and  could  be  sur- 
prised and  easily  captured.  Placing  too  much  confidence  in  these 
representations,  Ramseur  advanced  against  him  without  the 
proper  precaution  of  throwing  forward  a  strong  skirmish  line, 
and  he  encountered  Averall  with  a  large  force  of  infantry  and 
cavalry,  and  met  with  a  pretty  severe  repulse.  In  a  letter  to  me, 
General  W.  G.  Lewis,  who  was  wounded  in  this  engagement,  says 
that  Ramseur  was  not  altogether  responsible  for  the  mistake  that 
occurred,  for  he  had  every  reason  to  suppose  that  the  informa- 
tion furnished  by  Vaughan  was  correct.  This  matter,  while  nut 
of  much  importance,  is  referred  to  simply  because  it  is  the  only 
instance  in  which  he  met  with  a  reverse.  The  blame  properly 
rests  upon  General  Vaughan,  who  should  have  been  more 
careful  in  his  statements. 

On  the  9th  of  September  information  reached  us  that  a  large 
force  had  been  concentrated  at  Harper's  Ferry,  which  consisted 
of  the  Sixth,  Nineteenth  and  Crook's  Corps,  and  was  under  a 
new  commander,  who  proved  to  be  Sheridan.  From  this  time 
on  constant  maneuvering  and  skirmishing  occurred  between  the 
two  armies,  in  which  Ramseur  was  more  or  less  prominently 
engaged.  Sheridan  proved  to  be  a  wary,  cautious  and  prudent 
commander.  In  all  of  these  movements  it  appeared  that  his 
purpose  was  rather  to  ascertain  the  strength  and  character  of  his 
adversary  than  to  engage  him  in  battle.     Early  was  disappointed 


37 


and  disgusted  by  his  wary  methods,  ami  says  in  his  "Last  Year 
of  the  War"  that  "the  events  of  the  last  month  had  satisfied 

me  that  the  commander  opposing  me  was  without  enterprise  and 
possessed  an  excessive  caution  which  amounted  to  timidity.  If 
it  was  his  policy  to  produce  the  impression  that  his  force  was  too 
weak  to  right  me,  he  did  not  succeed;  but  if  it  was  to  convince 
me  that  he  was  not  an  able  and  energetic  commander,  his  strategy 
was  a  complete  success,  and  subsequent  events  have  not  changed 
my  opinion."  Sheridan  had  recently  been  transferred  from  the 
Army  of  the  West,  where  Lee's  methods  and  "Stonewall  Jack- 
son's way"  were  known  as  towers  of  strength.  For  the  first 
time  Sheridan  was  given  an  independent  command,  had  a  whole- 
some dread  of  our  veterans,  and  also  fully  realized  the  fact  that 
upon  the  result  of  his  first  eucouuter  with  his  adversary  there 
was  involved  an  important  political  as  well  as  military  element. 

Grant's  campaign  from  the  Wilderness  to  Coal  Harbor  had 
been  disappointing  to  the  North,  where  there  was  a  feeling  that 
so  far  the  war  had  been  a  failure,  which,  in  commenting  on,  in  his 
"Army  of  the  Potomac,"  Swinton  says,  that  when  the  records 
of  the  War  Department  shall  be  carefully  examined  they  will 
develop  discoveries  of  the  most  startling  nature.  In  speak- 
ing of  public  sentiment  just  prior  to  the  battle  of  Winchester, 
Grant  says  in  his  "Memoirs": 

"I  had  reason  to  believe  that  the  administration  was  a  little 
afraid  to  have  a  decisive  battle  fought  at  that  time,  for  fear  it 
might  go  against  us  aud  have  a  bad  effect  on  the  November 
elections.  The  convention  which  had  met  and  made  its  nomi- 
nation of  the  Democratic  candidate  for  the  presidency  had 
declared  the  war  a  failure. 

"Treason  was  talked  as  boldly  in  Chicago  as  ever  it  had  been 
at  Charleston. 

"  It  was  a  question  of  whether  the  government  would  then 
have  had  the  power  to  make  arrests  aud  punish  those  who  thus 
talked  treason. 

"  But  this  decisive  victory  was  the  most  effective  campaign 
argument  made  in  the  canvass." 


38 


In  addition  to  what  Grant  pays,  there  was  another  motive 
which  made  Sheridan  timid  in  encountering  our  forces,  and  pos- 
sibly Grant's  presence  was  necessary  to  get  him  up  to  the  fight- 
ing point. 

In  his  "Memoirs,"  Sheridan  says: 

"  I  had  opposing  me  an  army  largely  composed  of  troops  that 
had  operated  in  this  region  hitherto  under  "Stonewall"  Jack- 
son with  marked  success,  inflicting  defeat  on  the  Union  forces 
almost  every  time  the  two  armies  had  come  in  contact. 

"These  men  were  now  commanded  by  a  veteran  officer  of  the 
Confederacy,  General  Jubal  A.  Early,  whose  past  services  had 
so  signalized  his  ability  that  General  Lee  specially  selected  him 
to  take  charge  of  the  Valley  District,  and  notwithstanding  the 
misfortunes  that  befell  him  later,  clung  to  him  to  the  end  of  the 
war.  The  Confederate  army  at  this  date  was  about  twenty 
thousand  strong,  and  consisted  of  Early's  own  Corps,  with  Gen- 
erals Rodes,  Ramseur  and  Gordon  commanding  its  divisions; 
the  infantry  of  Breckinridge,  of  Southwestern  Virginia;  three 
battalions  of  artillery,  and  the  cavalry  brigades  of  Vaughau, 
Johnson,  McCausland  and  Imboden." 

Early  had  marched  and  countermarched  so  often  in  the  pres- 
ence of  and  around  Sheridan's  army  without  bringing  him  to  a 
test  of  strength,  he  began  to  think  him  no  better  than  Hunter, 
and  entertained  more  contempt  for  than  fear  of  him.  He  separated 
his  divisions  at  will,  and  scattered  them  from  Winchester  to 
Martinsburg — twenty-two  miles — with  no  greater  motive  than 
that  of  interrupting  railroad  traffic,  producing  a  little  diversion 
in  Washington,  and  securing  a  few  commissaries  in  Martins- 
burg.    His  last  movement  in  this  direction  was  on  the  eve  of  the 

BATTLE    OF    WINCHESTER. 

Of  this  movement  he  says  that,  "having  been  informed  that 
a  force  was  at  work  on  the  railroad  near  Martinsburg,  I 
moved  on  the  afternoon  of  the  17th  of  September  with  Rodes' 
and  Gordon's  Divisions  and  Braxton's  artillery  to  Bunker 
Hill;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,   with   Gordon's  Divis- 


39 


inn  and  a  part  of  the  artillery,  to  Martiosburg,  preceded  by 
a  part  of  Lomax's  cavalry."  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  in 
the  presence  of  a  largely  superior  force,  and  a  new  and  untried 
commander,  Early  had  his  troops  stretched  out  and  sepa- 
rated like  a  string  of  glass  beads  with  a  knot  between  each  one, 
In  a  previous  move  of  a  similar  nature  on  Martinsburg,  at 
Bunker  Hill,  I  had  been  reliably  informed  that  the  next  time 
Early  should  make  the  mistake  of  separating  his  command 
Sheridan  intended  to  attack  and  endeavor  to  crush  his  troops  in 
detail.  This  fact  I  communicated  to  General  Rodes,  who  replied  : 
"I  know  it.  I  have  told  Early  as  much";  and  with  much 
irritation  of  manner,  said:  "I  can't  get  him  to  believe  it." 

Ou  the  morning  of  the  19th  the  booming  of  cannon  was 
heard  in  the  direction  of  Winchester.  As  skirmishing  at  this 
time  was  frequent,  we  could  not  positively  decide  as  to  what  it 
portended.  Rodes  was  now  at  Stephenson's  Depot,  Breckin- 
ridge and  Gordon  at  Bunker  Hill,  and  Ramseur  at  Winchester. 
Rodes  received  orders  to  "move  out,"  but  was  not  directed  where 
to  go.  We  moved  out,  took  position  behind  a  rock  wall  north 
of  the  road  intersecting  the  Winchester  road,  where  we  anx- 
iously awaited  further  orders  for  the  space  of  two  hours.  All 
this  time  Ramseur,  with  his  seventeen  hundred  men,  was  actively 
engaged  with  Sheridan's  advance  corps.  Had  we  have  been 
properly  directed,  we  could  have  moved  forward  and  crushed 
this  corps  before  the  remaiuder  of  Sheridan's  troops  arrived,  and 
secured  a  complete  victory.  In  speaking  of  the  time  when  the 
firing  commenced,  Early,  who  was  with  Gordon,  says:  "I  imme- 
diately ordered  all  the  troops  that  were  at  Stephenson's  Depot  to 
be  in  readiness  to  move,  directions  being  given  by  Gordon, 
who  had  arrived  from  Bunker  Hill,  to  move  at  once,  but  by 
some  mistake  on  the  part  of  my  staff  officer,  the  latter  order 
was  not  delivered  to  either  Generals  Breckinridge  or  Gordon." 

Ramseur  was  compelled  to  bear  the  whole  brunt  of  the  attack 
of  Sheridan's  army  until  we  came  to  his  support,  about  10  A.  M. 
While  Rodes  was  moving  in  column  up  the  Martinsburg  road, 
near  Winchester,  we  were  unexpectedly  called  to  attention,  faced 


40 


fo  the  left,  and  moved  forward  to  engage  the  enemy,  who  had 
advanced  to  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  road.  Grimes' 
Brigade  was  on  the  right,  mine  in  the  centre,  and  Cook's  on  the 
left,  for  Battle's  was  still  behind.  After  a  brief  and  vigorous 
assault  the  Fedrals  commenced  falling  back. 

Grimes  drove  him  through  the  woods  and  formed  on  the  left 
of  Ramseur,  while  I  was  driving  the  Federals  before  me  in  an 
open  field,  supported  by  Cook  on  my  left.  The  latter  brigade 
was  brought  to  a  temporary  halt.  Rodes  was  now  in  my  rear, 
and  dispatched  his  only  remaining  staff  officer  to  push  forward 
this  brigade.  At  this  moment  Lieutenant  J.  S.  Battle  of  my 
staff  came  up,  informed  me  that  Colonel  Bennett  of  the  Four- 
teenth Regiment  had  just  had  his  horse  shot  under  him,  and  he 
had  given  him  his.  It  was  now  that  General  Rodes  was  shot 
in  the  head  by  a  ball,  and  caught  by  Lieutenant  Battle  as  he  fell 
from  his  horse.  The  fall  of  Rodes  was  not  observed  by  the 
troops,  who  pushed  on,  and  struck  a  weak  line  between  the 
Sixth  and  Nineteenth  Corps.  At  this  poiut  the  Federals  were 
severely  punished,  and  fell  back,  leaving  their  killed  and  wounded. 
A  large  number  of  officers  and  men  were  secreted  in  a  ditch,  whom 
we  captured.  We  pursued  the  enemy,  with  a  hot  fire,  beyond  the 
crest  of  the  hill  on  which  Grimes  had  established  his  line.  Here 
Evans'  Brigade,  upon  meeting  a  heavy  fire,  fell  back,  which 
exposed  my  brigade  to  a  concentrated,  direct  and  left  oblique  fire. 
Seeing  that  I  could  not  maintain  this  advanced  position,  my  Aide, 
Major  Gales,  was  sent  to  General  Early  with  a  request  to  have 
a  battery  placed  on  a  hill  in  my  rear.  This  was  promptly  done, 
when  my  men  fell  back  and  were  formed  behind  the  battery, 
which  opening  with  telling  effect  upon  their  heavy  lines,  they  laid 
down,  and  the  victory  appeared  to  be  ours.  In  this  brief  engage- 
ment Colonel  Banuett  had  two  horses  shot  from  under  him  and 
was  captured.  Colouel  Cobb  of  the  Second  lost  a  foot,  and 
Colonel  Thurston  of  the  Third  was  severely  wounded.  While 
my  loss  in  officers  aud  men  had  been  severe,  my  troops  were  in 
fine  spirits.  Here  we  lay  until  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when 
Major  G.  Peyton  of  the  division  staff  directed  me  to  fall  back,  for 


41 


the  infantry  had  retired  from  my  left,  and  Fitz  Lee's  cavalry 
was  hotly  engaged  with  that  of  the  Federals.  I  replied  that 
there  was  no  occasion  for  my  falling  back,  as  I  could  repulse 
any  assault  the  Federals  might  attempt;  and  upon  their  endeav- 
oring to  advance,  I  opened  fire  upon  them  and  they  rapidly 
sought  shelter.  Discovering  (after  Major  Peyton  retired)  that 
the  Federals  were  in  my  rear,  I  fell  back  in  good  order  to  the 
Marti usburg  pike  and  formed  on  the  left  of  our  troops.  Here, 
we  were  exposed,  without  any  protection,  to  a  heavy  artillery  fire, 
which  was  inflicting  unnecessary  punishment  upon  my  men.  I 
turned  to  General  Breckinridge,  who  was  near,  and  pointed  to  a 
line  of  hills  and  suggested  that  that  was  the  place  to  make  our 
stand,  to  which  lie  agreed.  Thereupon  I  faced  my  men  about 
and  commenced  retiring  deliberately  to  the  hills,  all  the  troops 
conforming  to  this  movement.  General  Early,  through  a  staff 
officer,  directed  me  to  return  ;  I  thereupon  faced  my  men  about 
and  moved  them  to  the  front.  Upon  reaching  the  turnpike 
a  second  officer  came  from  General  Early  and  directed  me  to  fall 
back.  Facing  my  men  about,  I  again  commenced  slowly 
retiring.  While  thus  marching  and  countermarching  in  a 
murderous  fire,  a  caunon-ball  struck  in  the  color-guard,  just  iu 
the  rear  of  my  horse's  tail,  cut  one  man  asunder,  tore  off  the 
skull  of  another,  which  was  thrown  in  front,  and  spattered  blood 
and  brains  on  all  who  were  near.  My  veterans,  instead  of 
being  stampeded,  only  pressed  a  little  more  impulsively  upon 
my  horse's  tail. 

War  hath  its  horrors,  which  the  selfishness  and  ambition  of 
men  bring  upon  them,  and  they  must  endure  them;  but  the  suffer- 
ing and  distress  of  females  uo  true  man  can  complacently  witness. 
Such  scenes  of  distress  and  heart-rending  agony  as  were  mani- 
fested by  the  true  women  of  Winchester  as  their  town  was  uncov- 
ered and  they  were  thus  exposed  to  the  foe,  while  they  cannot 
be  described,  brought  tears  to  the  eyes  of  stoutest  men. 

Our  troops  now  retreated  towards  Fisher's  Hill.  My  brigade 
secured  the  elevation  which  I  had  selected,  and  stood  as  a 
menace  to  pursuit  until  our  army  had  measurably  retired.  Then 
6 


42 


proceeding  to  the  turnpike,  I  was  retreating  in  column,  when  Dr. 
Hunter  McGuire,  who  was  with  Early,  approached  and  said  Gen- 
eral Early  was  feeling  badly ;  that  we  had  lost  but  one  caisson,  and 
he  wished  I  would  take  ray  troops  and  protect  from  capture  the 
artillery  then  passing.  I  informed  him  that  I  was  so  far  from 
division  headquarters  (for  our  army  was  not  then  in  sight)  that  I 
did  not  desire  to  have  my  brigade  exposed  to  capture  unless  he 
would  bring  me  an  order  from  General  Early,  who  was  then  rid- 
ing slowly  along  the  pike.  He  returned  to  the  General  and  came 
back  and  said  the  General  said  he  wished  I  would  do  it.  I  then 
dispatched  Assistant  Adjutant  General  Gales  to  General  Battle, 
who,  after  the  fall  of  Rodes,  was  in  command  of  the  division, 
with  information  as  to  where  I  was  and  what  I  was  doing.  I 
then  turned  to  my  command,  which  had  been  joined  by  other 
troops  who  had  lost  their  commands,  and  directed  them  to  deploy 
and  advance  between  the  enemy's  cavalry  and  our  artillery,  which 
was  done  with  great  spirit  and  promptness  in  the  presence  of  the 
General,  but  without  a  word  of  indorsement  from  him.  In 
this  manner  we  moved  on,  protecting  the  artillery  until  near 
dusk,  when  we  found  Ramseur  with  his  division  thrown  across 
the  turnpike  to  prevent  pursuit.  About  the  time  the  artillery 
and  my  brigade  crossed  his  line  the  enemy  made  a  spirited 
charge  to  capture  the  guns.  Ramseur's  men  rose  and  met  it 
with  a  well-directed  fire,  which  stopped  further  pursuit.  I 
moved  on  and  soon  joined  our  troops.  So  that  Ramseur,  upon 
whom  the  enemy  had  opened  their  battle  in  the  morning,  gave 
them  the  last  repulse  at  night. 

Of  this  battle,  Early  writing,  says:  "A  skillful  and  energetic 
commander  of  the  enemy's  forces  would  have  crushed  Ramseur 
before  any  assistance  could  have  reached  him,  and  thns  caused 
the  destruction  of  my  whole  force;  and  later  in  the  day,  when 
the  battle  had  turned  against  us,  with  the  immense  superiority 
of  cavalry  which  Sheridan  had  and  the  advantage  of  the  open 
country,  would  have  destroyed  my  whole  force  and  captured 
everything  I  had.  ******  j  }lave  thought,  instead 
of  being  promoted,  Sheridan  ought  to  have  been  cashiered  for 


43 


this  battle."  In  his  "Memoirs,"  Grant  says:  "Sheridan  moved  at 
the  time  fixed  upon.  He  met  Early  at  the  crossing  of  the  Ope- 
(pian  Creek  and  won  a  most  decisive  victory — one  which  elec- 
trified the  country.  Early  had  invited  this  attack  himself  by 
his  bad  generalship,  and  made  the  victory  easy."  Considering 
the  great  disparity  of  numbers,  this  battle  of  Winchester  was, 
after  all,  no  great  victory  on  the  part  of  Sheridan,  and  Grant 
intimates  as  much,  for  his  troops  outnumbered  those  of  Early 
more  than  three  to  one.  His  cavalry  was  in  fine  condition,  while 
ours  was  worn  down  by  excessive  duties  and  scaut  forage.  It 
was  won  at  a  critical  moment  to  the  Federal  government,  and 
it  became  to  its  interest  to  magnify  it  in  every  way  practicable. 

After  our  defeat  at  Winchester  we  fell  back  and  formed  a  line 
of  battle  behind.  Fisher's  Hill.  In  our  encounter  with  Sheri- 
dan's army,  notwithstanding  our  defeat,  his  loss  had  been  severe 
and  his  pursuit  was  languid.  It  was  the  20th  before  he  reached 
our  front,  and  several  days  were  passed  in  maneuvering  and 
skirmishing.  Ramseur's  Division  occupied  the  left  of  our  line 
of  battle  and  the  prolongation  of  our  line  was  defended  by  cav- 
alry. On  the  22d,  Sheridan  threw  forward  Crook's  Corps, 
pushed  back  our  cavalry  and  took  pessession  of  our  line.  Ram- 
seur  hearing  the  firing  to  his  left,  withdrew  my  brigade  from  the 
line  and  ordered  me  to  move  in  the  direction  of  the  firing,  for  after 
the  fall  of  Rodes,  Ramseur,  to  our  great  gratification,  was  placed 
in  charge  of  his  division.  On  moving  to  the  left  I  had  a  brisk 
skirmish  with  a  part  of  Crook's  men,  but  did  uot  encounter  the 
main  force.  From  the  firing  in  the  direction  of  our  line  it  was 
soon  apparent  that  our  army  was  falling  back.  I  now  met  Gen- 
eral Lomax  with  a  part  of  his  men,  and  he  kindly  conducted  me 
by  the  nearest  route  to  the  turnpike  over  which  we  were 
retreating. 

It  was  full  dusk  when  we  reached  the  road.  Colonel  Pen- 
dleton, an  admirable  officer  and  an  accomplished  gentleman- 
of  the  corps  staff,  met  me  and  requested  that  my  brigade  be 
thrown  across  the  road  to  cover  the  retreat.  The  brigade  was 
promptly  formed,  advanced  rapidly  to  a  fence,  where  it  met  the 


44 


enemy  in  a  haud-to-band  encounter,  repulsed  them  and  stopped 
the  pursuit  for  the  night.  It  was  while  near  me  that  Colonel 
Pendleton,  whom  I  hail  intimately  known  when  on  Jackson's 
staff,  fell  mortally  wounded. 

Napoleon  said:  "The  moral  force  in  war  is  worth  twice  its 
physical  effect,"  Unfortunately,  from  this  time  on,  that  moral 
force  which  leads  to  success  in  battle  was,  in  this  army,  under 
its  present  leadership,  sadly  lacking. 

A  word  now  as  to  the 

PRIVATE   SOLDIER 

of  the  Confederate  army.  The  emergencies  of  the  South  called 
forth  all  of  her  sons  to  the  front  ("from  the  cradle  to  the  grave," 
as  Grant  expressed  it),  and  in  its  ranks  might  be  found  men  of 
every  position  iu  society.  From  education,  association  and  pursuits 
he  was  superior  to  the  ordiuary  soldier.  He  fought  not  for  pay,  for 
glory  or  promotion,  and  received  but  little  of  either.  He  coveted 
danger,  not  from  recklessness,  but  for  the  loved  ones  at  home, 
whose  approbation  and  safety  were  dearer  to  him  than  life  itself. 
His  honors  and  rewards  were  the  approval  of  a  good  conscience. 
His  humor  was  droll;  his  wit  original ;  his  spirits  unflagging; 
his  shoeless  feet,  tattered  clothes  and  "hard-tack"  were  oftener 
matters  for  jest  than  complaint.  When  his  officer  was  consider- 
ate and  capable  he  was  his  idol.  He  was  intelligent,  understood 
the  issues  at  stake  and  discussed  the  merits  and  conduct  of  every 
battle.  Whether  on  the  picket  line  or  the  forefront  of  battle, 
behind  every  trusted  musket  there  was  a  thinker,  and  there  was 
an  accommodation  and  comradeship  between  the  mere  boy  and 
the  oldest  veteran.  It  was  such  devotion  and  unsurpassed  hero- 
ism as  was  displayed  by  the  privates  of  each  army,  equally 
brave  and  of  one  nationality,  that  makes  our  country  great  and 
demonstrates  to  the  world  the  excellence  and  superiority  of  the 
Anglo-Saxon  race. 

"Can  comrades  cease  to  think  of  those  who  bore 
The  brunt  of  conflict,  marching  side  by  side — 
Forget  how  youth  forgot  his  beardless  face, 
Made  beauteous  by  his  valorous  arm?" 


45 


No,  never!  while  a  widowed  heart  ceases  to  forget  or  a  sister 
shall  coldly  touch  the  brother's  "honored  blade."  All  honor 
then  to  the  noble  women  who,  in  his  old  age  and  poverty — that 
"ill-matched  pair" — seek  to  provide,  if  not  a  home,  at  least  a 
shelter  for  him.  May  Heaven's  choicest  blessing  rest  upon  them 
and  all  who  shall  aid  them  in  their  pious  and  patriotic  work. 

To  return  to  my  narrative.  After  the  affair  of  Fisher's  Hill 
we  fell  back  to  the  lower  passes  of  the  Blue  Rigde,  where  Sheri- 
dan followed  us  as  far  as  Staunton.  Then,  after  destroying  the 
Central  Railroad,  he  retreated  up  the  valley  and  took  position 
behind  his  intrenchments  at 

CEDAR   CREEK. 

Early  had  now  been  re-in forced  by  the  return  of  Kershaw's 
Division,  Cutshaw's  battalion  of  artillery  and  some  cavalry, 
which  about  made  up  his  losses  at  Winchester  and  Fisher's 
Hill.  About  the  time  Sheridan  fell  back  it  had  been  Early's 
purpose  to  attack  him,  which  he  doubtless  anticipated,  for  he 
heard  that  Longstreet  had  joined  Early,  and  it  was  their  pur- 
pose to  destroy  him.  Early  pursued  Sheridan  beyond  Middle- 
town,  where  he  found  him  too  strongly  intrenched  for  a  direct 
attack,  and  we  were  therefore  formed  behind  our  breastworks 
at  Fisher's  Hill.  From  our  signal  station,  which  overlooked 
their  camp,  it  was  discovered  that  the  Federal  left  flank  was 
lightly  picketed,  and  by  a  loug  detour  and  careful  movement 
could  be  taken  in  reverse.  A  flanking  movement  was  directed 
by  Early  and  mainly  intrusted  to  Gordon,  who,  with  Ram- 
seur's  Division,  commenced  moving  early  after  dark.  The  night 
was  consumed  in  a  fatiguing  and  exhausting  march,  which  was 
conducted  with  the  greatest  secrecy.  We  reached  the  point  at 
which  we  were  to  cross  the  creek  and  make  the  attack  at  early 
dawn.  Here  we  were  joined  by  Payne's  cavalry,  who  at  full 
speed  dashed  upon  and  captured  Sheridan's  headquarters,  and, 
but  for  his  absence,  would  have  captured  him.  While  Crook's 
Corps  was  enjoying  its  undisturbed  quiet,  and  possibly  dream- 
ing of  to-morrow,  we  descended  like  a  wolf  on  the  fold  and 


46 

aroused  them  by  "Rebel  yells"  and  peals  of  musketry,  and  they 
hastily  fled  in  garments  more  suited  to  a  camp  than  a  ball-room. 
After  our  great  reverses  the  sensation  of  pursuit  was  delight- 
ful. As  Ramseur  hurried  from  point  to  point  to  hasten  forward 
his  troops  where  resistance  was  offered  his  presence  and  manner 
was  electrical.  Notified  of  our  attack  by  the  firing,  the  Federals 
in  other  parts  of  the  field  formed  and  offered  some  resistance,  but 
they  were  so  much  demoralized  that  my  little  brigade  drove  back 
a  division  ten  times  its  number  after  but  slight  resistance.  By 
8  o'clock  we  had  captured  nearly  all  their  artillery  and  from 
fifteen  hundred  to  two  thousand  prisoners,  and  the  Federals  were 
in  retreat.  Early  in  the  meantime,  with  two  divisions  which 
had  scarcely  been  engaged,  came  upon  the  field.  Gordon  informed 
me  that  he  then  advised  him  to  seize  all  his  wagon,  artillery  and 
ambulance  horses — indeed,  every  one  he  could  get — mount  his 
men  upon  them,  and  hotly  pursue  the  Federals  before  they  could 
recover  from  their  panic.  But  we  were  very  deliberate.  While 
this  was  occurring  Sheridan  was  at  Winchester,  on  his  return 
from  Washington.  He  gives  this  graphic  account  of  his  meet- 
ing with  his  fleeing  troops:  "At  Mill  Creek  my  escort  fell 
behind  and  we  were  going  ahead  at  a  regular  pace  when,  just 
as  we  made  the  crest  of  the  rise  beyond  the  stream,  there  burst 
upon  our  view  the  appalling  spectacle  of  a  panic-stricken  army — 
hundreds  of  slightly  wounded  men,  throngs  of  others  unhurt, 
but  utterly  demoralized,  and  baggage  wagons  by  the  score,  all 
pressing  to  the  rear  in  hopeless  confusion,  telling  only  too  plainly 
that  a  disaster  had  occurred  at  the  front.  On  accosting  some  of 
the  fugitives,  they  assured  me  that  the  army  was  broken  up,  in 
full  retreat,  and  that  all  was  lost;  all  this  with  a  manner  true 
to  that  peculiar  indifference  that  takes  possession  of  panic-stricken 
men."  In  the  meantime  General  Wright,  with  one  division  and 
some  cavalry,  had  the  only  organized  force  in  our  preseuce. 
The  return  of  Sheridan  and  the  lack  of  a  vigorous  pursuit  had 
the  effect  to  allay  the  panic  with  which  his  army  was  seized 
early  in  the  day.  Ascertaining  from  some  prisoners  that  were 
captured  that  Lougstreet  was  not  with  Early,  Sheridan  reorgan- 


47 


ized  his  men  the  host  he  could  and  turned  upon  us,  I  should 
say  about  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Ramscur  kept  his  men 
well  in  hand,  and  from  behind  rock  walls  successfully  resisted 
the  advance  of  the  Federals.  Near  4  o'clock  Kershaw's  Division 
gave  way  on  my  left.  I  sent  my  headquarter  courier,  private 
Beggarly,  to  report  the  fact  to  General  Ramseur.  While  doing 
so  his  horse  was  shot  through  the  ear  and  the  horse  upon  which 
General  Ramseur  sat  (for  he  refused  to  take  shelter)  was  killed. 
At  the  request  of  General  Ramseur,  private  Beggarly  let  the 
General  have  his  horse.  So  careful  was  Ramseur  of  the  rights  of 
others,  even  in  the  midst  of  a  severe  engagement,  this  horse  was 
not  taken  before  gettiug  my  consent. 

During  this  whole  encounter  no  man  could  have  behaved 
more  maguificeutly  and  heroicly  than  Ramseur  did  in  his  efforts 
to  resist  the  overwhelming  tide  which  was  now  setting  in  upon 
us.  From  the  position  which  he  occupied  the  retreat  of  Ker- 
shaw's Division  and  the  overlapping  flanking  column  of  the 
Federals  could  be  seen.  His  troops  became  alarmed  and  could 
not  be  held  in  position,  and  in  a  vain  effort  to  hold  them  this 
brave  and   accomplished  young  officer  fell 

MORTALLY   WOUNDED 

and  was  captured.  In  speaking  of  his  conduct  upon  this 
occasion,  General  Early  says:  "Major  General  Ramseur  has 
often  proved  his  courage  and  his  capacity  to  command,  but 
never  did  these  qualities  shine  more  conspicuous  than  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  19th  of  this  month,  when,  after  two 
divisions  on  his  left  had  given  way  and  his  own  was  doing 
the  same  thing,  he  rallied  a  small  baud  and  for  one  hour 
and  a  quarter  held  in  check  the  enemy,  until  he  was  shot 
down  himself.  In  endeavoring  to  stop  those  who  were  retiring 
from  the  field  I  had  occasion  to  point  them  to  the  gallant  stand 
made  by  Ramseur  with  his  small  party,  and  if  his  spirit  could 
have  animated  those  who  left  him  thus  battling  the  19th  of 
October  would  have  had  a  far  different  history.  He  met  the 
death  of  a  hero,  and  with  his  fall  the  last  hope  of  saving  the  day 


48 


was  lost!  General  Raniseur  was  a  soldier  of  whom  his  State 
has  reason  to  be  proud — he  was  brave,  chivalrous  and  capable." 
General  Grimes  says,  in  his  report  of  this  battle:  "Up  to  the 
hour  of  4  P.  M.  the  troops  of  this  division,  both  officers  and 
men,  with  a  few  exceptions,  behaved  most  admirably,  and  were 
kept  well  in  hand.  But  little  plundering  and  only  a  few  shirk- 
ing their  duty.  After  that  hour  all  was  confusion  and  disorder. 
The  brigade  commanders  conducted  themselves,  each  and  all,  with 
great  coolness  and  judgment,  and  are  deserving  of  especial  men- 
tion for  using  all  possible  efforts  to  check  their  troops,  but  with- 
out success.  The  death  of  the  brave  and  heroic  soldier,  General 
Ramseur,  is  not  only  a  loss  to  this  division  but  to  his  State  and 
country  at  large.  No  truer  and  nobler  spirit  has  been  sacrificed 
in  this  unjust  and  unholy  war."  Colonel  Winston,  commanding 
the  Forty-third  and  Forty-fifth  North  Carolina  Regiments,  says 
that  "only  one  man  of  those  regiments  in  passing  through  the 
rich  spoils  of  the  enemy's  camp  fell  out  of  ranks,  and  he  did  it 
to  get  a  hat,  and  was  court-martialed."  And  so  far  as  I  observed, 
the  charge  of  General  Early,  that  the  loss  of  the  fruits  of  our 
victory  in  the  morning  was  ascribable  to  the  plundering  of  the 
soldiers,  is  a  great  injustice.  Certainly  it  is  so  as  applicable  to 
that  large  body  of  North  Carolinians  who  were  then  in  his  corps, 
and  who  upon  this,  as  upon  prior  and  subsequent  occasions, 
proved  themselves  to  be  among  the  best  soldiers  in  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia. 

What  General  Lee  said  in  his  letter  to  General  Early,  dated 
September  22d,  1864,  in  regard  to  his  strategy  as  a  separate 
commander,  was  clear  to  all,  and  in  the  main  led  to  his  want  of 
success.  Lee  said:  *  *  "As  far  as  I  can  judge  from  this  dis- 
tance, you  have  operated  more  with  your  divisions  than  with 
your  constituted  strength.  Circumstances  may  have  rendered 
it  necessary,  but  such  a  course  is  to  be  avoided  if  possible." 
When  General  Forrest  was  asked  the  cause  of  his  uniform  suc- 
cess he  replied:  "  I  get  there  first  with  the  most  men."  If  not 
classic,  this  is  at  least  epigrammatic. 

We  cheerfully  accept  the  well  merited  tribute  General  Early 
pays  the  chivalrous  and  knightly  Ramseur,  but  it  is  insisted  he 


49 


is  entitled  to  one  still  higher.  Instead  of  fighting  with  a  few 
hundred  men,  as  Early  elsewhere  says,  we  see  him,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  General  Grimes,  "holding  his  division  well  in  hand," 
officers  and  men  doing  their  duty  faithfully,  while  the  disorder 
and  confusion  in  other  parts  of  the  field  hastens  the  disaster 
which  with  troops  skillfully  handled  should   not  have  occurred. 

It  will  be  asked  if  the  criticisms  of  Early's  valley  campaign 
are  just,  why  did  not  General  Lee  remove  him?  There  are 
several  good  reasons  why  General  Lee  should  have  been  slow  to 
pursue  such  a  course.  Early  was  a  man  of  superior  intelligence, 
he  was  earnest  in  the  cause,  and  as  a  brigadier  and  division  com- 
mander a  hard  fighter  and  successful  officer.  There  is,  however, 
a  marked  difference  between  a  chief  and  subordinate  commander, 
and  Lee  had  never  known,  him  otherwise  than  as  a  subordinate. 
It  is  true  that  Lee  was  finally  compelled  to  remove  him,  and  we 
may  presume  it  was  his  reluctance  to  wound  that  caused  him  to 
unwillingly  take  the  step  which  soon  became  necessary.  This 
forbearance  was  in  keeping  with  Lee's  general  character,  as  known 
to  those  who  served  under  him.  It  is  so  well  expressed  by  Col- 
onel W.  H.  Taylor  of  his  staff,  in  his  book  entitled  "Four 
Years  with  General  Lee,"  we  can  but  quote  from  him.     He  says  : 

"If  it  shall  be  the  verdict  of  posterity  that  General  Lee  in 
any  respect  fell  short  of  perfection  as  a  military  leader  it  may 
perhaps  be  claimed:  First,  that  he  was  too  careful  of  the  per- 
sonal feelings  of  his  subordinate  commanders,  too  fearful  of 
wounding  their  pride,  aud  too  solicitous  of  their  reputation. 
Probably  it  was  this  that  caused  him  sometimes  to  continue  in 
command  those  of  whose  personal  fitness  for  their  position  he 
was  not  convinced,  and  often  avowedly  or  tacitly  assumed  respon- 
sibility for  mishaps  clearly  attributable  to  the  inefficiency,  neglect 
or  carelessness  of  others." 

Through  the  courtesy  of  the  family  of  General  Ramseur,  I 
am  placed  in  the  possession  of  a  personal  letter  from  R.  R.  Hutch- 
inson, of  Virginia,  an  able  and  accomplished  officer,  who  before 
the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek  had  long  served  as  Major  and  Acting 
Adjutant  General  to  the  division.  Major  Hutchinson  was  with 
7 


50 


General  Ramseur  when  he  received  his  fatal  wound,  was  cap- 
tured while  endeavoring  to  remove  hira  from  the  field,  and  by 
his  bedside  during  his  last  moments. 

His  account  of  the  sad  occurrence  on  that  occasion  is  so  vivid 
and  touching  no  apology  is  deemed  due  for  introducing  his  let- 
ter, with  a  single  omission,  in  this  monograph  : 

"Near  Strasburg,  Va.,  October  20,  1864. 
"  Mrs.  S.  D.  Ramseur  Milton,  N.  C. : 

"Dear  Madam: — I  do  not  know  how  to  write  to  you;  how 
to  express  my  deep  sympathy  in  your  grievous  affliction;  but 
the  Christian  soldier  who  has  gone  before  us  to  that  other  world 
has  asked  me  to  do  it,  and  I  must  not  shrink  from  the  performance 
of  this  duty,  however  painful.  I  am  writing  by  the  side  of  him 
whose  last  thought  was  of  you  and  his  God,  his  country  and  his 
duty.  He  died  this  day  at  twenty-seven  minutes  past  10  o'clock 
a.  m.,  and  had  at  least  the  consolation  of  having  by  his  side 
some  who  wore  the  same  uniform  and  served  iu  the  same  holy 
cause  as  himself.  His  last  moments  were  peaceful,  his  wounds 
were  painful,  but  his  hope  in  Christ  led  him  to  endure  all 
patiently.  He  received  his  mortal  wound  yesterday  afternoon 
(October  19th)  between  the  hours  of  5  and  6  p.  m.  at  the 
post  of  honor  and  of  danger,  where  he  always  was.  Our 
troops  had  fallen  back  a  short  distauce  but  had  reformed, 
and  were  stubbornly  contesting  a  position  on  a  hill  which  the 
enemy  attacked  from  three  sides.  He  exposed  himself  to  every 
shot,  cheering  and  encouraging  all.  I  was  not  far  from  him 
when  I  saw  his  horse  shot;  he  procured  another,  which  was 
shot  also,  and  immediately  after  he  received  his  fatal  wound  (the 
second),  all  in  the  space  of  a  very  few  minutes.  I  ran  over  to 
him,  got  some  men.  and  bore  him  to  the  rear,  your  brother  join- 
ing us  on  the  way.  I  then  went  off  after  an  ambulance,  found 
it,  but  saw  on  returning  with  it  that  he  had  been  left,  as  I 
thought,  in  the  enemy's  lines.  This  fear  was  soon  after  dissi- 
pated, however,  by  seeing  him  on  Captain  Randolph's  horse,  the 
Captain  running  along  side  and  supporting  him.     We  got  him 


51 


then  to  the  ambulance  I  had  brought  up.  I  thought  he  was 
safe  then,  not  knowing  how  dangerous  was  his  wound,  and 
remained  with  the  rear  guard.  When  I  was  subsequently  cap- 
tured by  the  enemy's  cavalry,  I  was  carried  to  General  Sheri- 
dan's headquarters,  and  learning  that  General  Ramseur  had  been 
captured,  asked  and  obtained  permission  to  remain  with  him. 
The  road  had  been  blocked  up  by  wagons,  causing  a  delay,  that 
gave  the  enemy  time  to  get  up  and  take  him  prisoner,  just  south 
of  Strasburg.  Many  of  his  former  friends  (West  Pointers) 
called  to  see  him  yesterday  and  to-day,  and  offered  every  assist- 
ance in  their  power,  General  Sheridan  among  the  number.  He 
was  taken  to  General  Sheridan's  headquarters  and  made  as  com- 
fortable as  circumstances  would  permit.  Dr.  James  Gillespie 
(Cutshaw's  Battalion  of  Artillery),  a  Confederate  surgeon,  assisted 
by  the  enemy's  surgeons,  al tended  to  him  and  did  all  that  could 
be  done  under  the  circumstances.  He  suffered  a  good  deal  from 
his  wound,  the  ball  having  entered  his  right  side,  penetrating  the 
right  and  left  lung,  and  lodging  near  the  left  side.  But  the  end 
was  peaceful  and  quiet.  He  spoke  continually  of  you,  and  sent 
very  many  messages  to  his  family,  but  above  all,  to  his  wife.  He 
told  the  ambulance  driver  to  tell  General  Hoke  that  he  "died  a 
Christian  and  had  done  his  duty."  He  told  me  to  "give  his 
love  and  send  some  of  his  hair  to  his  darling  wife";  and  often 
wished  he  could  "see  his  wife  and  little  child  before  he  died." 
He  told  me  to  tell  you  he  had  a  "firm  hope  in  Christ,  and  hoped 
to  meet  you  hereafter."  Pie  died  as  became  a  Confederate  soldier 
and  a  firm  believer. 

"I  inclose  the  lock  of  hair  he  desired  sent  you. 

"Respectfully,  R.  R.  Hutchinson, 

"Major  and  A.  A.  G.  P.  A.  C.  8." 

IN    CONCLUSION. 

Ramseur  in  personal  appearance  was  slight,  erect,  alert,  earnest 
in  speech,  with  dark  prominent  eyes  and  well  developed  fore- 
head.    He  was  an  ideal  soldier. 

General  Robert  Ransom,  in  writing  of  his  bearing  in  action, 
while  they  were  together  in  the  valley,  says :  "  Ramseur  com- 


52 


mauded  infantry  and  I  the  whole  of  Early's  cavalry  dur- 
ing the  time  I  was  with  Early.  Whenever  I  had  opportu- 
nity to  see  Ramseur  his  conduct  was  marked  by  great  energy, 
brilliant  dash  (often  amounting  to  impetuosity)  and  an  enthu- 
siasm which  inspired  those  he  led." 

Among  the  soldiers  of  Napoleon,  Marshal  Ney  was  known  as 
"the  bravest  of  the  brave."  When  asked  whether  he  ever  felt 
fear  in  battle,  he  replied  that  he  never  had  time.  His  reply 
might  aptly  be  that  of  Ramseur.  When  in  action  his  enthusi- 
asm arose  with  the  magnitude  of  the  dangers  that  environed 
him.  But  this  enthusiasm  was  controlled  by  a  well-directed 
judgment  as  to  the  best  disposition  to  make  of  his  troops,  and  as 
to  the  weak  points  of  his  adversary.  He  fully  realized  that  war 
meant  danger,  even  death;  that  the  eyes  of  his  troops  were  upon 
him,  and  their  greatest  safety  lay  in  marching  fearlessly  and 
promptly  to  the  front  of  danger,  and  he  never  hesitated  to  lead 
them. 

On  the  day  preceding  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  General  Ram- 
seur received  intelligence  of  the  birth  of  the  little  child  men- 
tioned in  the  letter  of  Major  Hutchinson.  The  birth  of  one's 
first  born  arouses  a  thousand  thrilling  emotions  in  the  heart  of 
every  manly  bosom  which  can  be  felt  but  not  described. 

General  Ramseur  was  a  superb  horseman,  and  on  the  day  of  the 
battle  he  appeared  upon  the  field  well  mouuted  and  dressed  with 
an  unusual  care  in  his  handsome  General's  uniform.  He  wore 
upon  the  lapel  of  his  coat  a  bouionniere,  the  gift  doubtless  of 
some  fair  and  patriotic  woman  in  that  section,  bestowed  in  recog- 
nition of  the  joyous  event  which  he  had  made  known  to  her. 
I  have  already  described  the  enthusiasm  with  which  his  presence 
on  this  occasion  inspired,  as  he  hastened  from  one  part  of  the 
battle  field  to  another,  and  an  electric  glow  even  thrilled  through 
my  impassive  breast  as  we  drove  our  gallant  adversaries  before 
us,  they  making  just  enough  resistance  to  heighten  the  effect 
danger  inspires.  How  different  is  the  situation  of  man  and 
woman  under  such  circumstances.  To  man  the  presence  of  dan- 
ger is  all-absorbing.     Woman,  on  the  approach  of  an  impending 


53 


battle  is  filled  with  the  most  anxious  forebodings  of  danger,  which 
are  to  be  followed  after  the  battle  has  been  fought  with  still 
more  wearying  and  anxious  thoughts  and  sleepless  nights — 
for  her  there  is  no  rest  until  the  list  of  killed  and  wounded  is 
received  and  doubt  is  resolved  into  certainty. 

No  doubt  amidst  that  day's  vicissitudes  Ramseur's  mind  was 
continually  dwelling  upon  his  wife  and  child,  and  pleasant 
thoughts  of  an  early  meeting  and  of  additional  honors  that  might 
be  his,  for  in  the  course  of  this  address  it  may  have  been  observed 
he  scarcely  ever  participated  in  an  important  battle  that  he  did 
not  win  a  promotion.  It  is  wisely  provided  that  no  mau  can  see 
what  a  day  may  bring  forth,  or  certify  how  long  he  has  to  live. 
In  Ramseur's  case  it  is  pleasant  to  feel  that  as  a  hero  and  a 
Christian  he  was  prepared  to  meet  his  last  enemy  when  he  came. 
When  being  borne  from  the  field  his  memory  revisits  the  old 
homestead,  and  he  thinks  of  one  between  whom  and  himself  the 
warmest  ties  had  always  existed.  There  was  but  a  month's 
difference  in  their  ages.  "Tell  General  Hoke,"  he  says,  "  I  did 
my  duty  and  died  a  Christian." 

"He  died,  but  his  end  was  fitting, 
Foremost  in  the  ranks  he  led, 
And  he  marked  the  heights  of  his  nation's  gain, 
As  he  lay  in  the  harness — dead." 

The  Rev.  E.  Harding,  his  connexion  aud  chaplain,  in  his 
sketch  of  General  Ramseur,  to  which  I  am  indebted  in  prepar- 
ing this  memoir,  in  writing  of  his  Christian  character,  says: 
"Ramseur  read  his  Bible  a  great  deal,  and  when  opportunity 
offered  held  family  prayers;  that  he  was  "fond  of  conversing 
on  religious  subjects,  and  punctual  in  attending  divine  service"; 
that  he  "was  a  high-toned  and  chivalrous  gentleman,  a  gallant 
soldier,  an  humble  Christian." 

His  last  thoughts  on  earth  were  of  home  aud  Heaven,  the 
sweetest  words  in  any  language.  He  said,  bear  this  message  to 
my  precious  wife:  "I  die  a  Christian  and  hope  to  meet  her  in 
Heaven."  No  balm  to  the  bruised  heart  could  be  more  precious, 
no  assurance  more  gratifying. 


54 


Irrespective  of  section,  irrespective  of  service,  the  blue  and 
the  gray — Sheridan,  Custer,  Federal  and  Confederate  sur- 
geons— gather  around  his  couch  to  minister  to  his  wauts  and 
smooth  his  dying  pillow.  His  soul  takes  its  flight,  and  the  day 
men  called  his  last  was  his  first  in  the  Paradise  of  God.  His  body 
was  carefully  embalmed  by  the  Federals,  borne  through  their 
lines  and  delivered  to  his  early  and  cherished  friend,  General 
Hoke.  And  thus  was  illustrated  the  saying  that  the  world 
would  remain  at  peace  if  those  who  made  the  quarrels  were 
the  only  men  that  fought,  for  between  the  soldiers  of  the 
two  armies  there  was  no  personal  animosity — of  one  race,  of 
one  nationality,  equally  brave  and  equally  sincere,  they  did  not 
bring  on  the  war,  and  not  with  their  consent  has  its  animosities 
been  continued.  Ramseur's  remains  were  carried  to  his  native 
village,  and  there  a  large  concourse  of  his  neighbors  and  friends 
assembled  to  express  their  sorrow  and  do  honor  to  his  memory. 
They  accompanied  his  remains  to  their  last  resting-place,  which 
is  in  the  Episcopal  church-yard,  and  deposited  them  beside 
those  of  his  father  and  mother.  Over  them  a  loving  and 
devoted  kinsman  has  had  erected  a  handsome  monument,  on  one 
side  of  which  is  engraved  the  Confederate  flag  and  the  principal 
battles  in  which  he  fought,  and  on  the  other  the  date  of  his  birth 
and  of  his  death,  with  this  appropriate  inscription  :  "A  Christian 
Soldier." 


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